The role of Machiavellianism, cyberbullying, and family relationships in adolescent gaming addiction: a problem behavior theory approach

Background and objectives: This study investigates the relationship between gaming addiction and Machiavellianism in adolescents, focusing on the mediating role of cyberbullying and the moderating role of the parent-adolescent relationship. Methods: A total of 601 high school students in Istanbul participated in the study. Participants completed standardized measures assessing gaming addiction, Machiavellian traits, cyberbullying behaviors, and the quality of their relationship with their parents. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test a moderated mediation model. Results: Cyberbullying significantly mediated the relationship between gaming addiction and Machiavellianism. Moreover, the parent-adolescent relationship moderated the link between gaming addiction and cyberbullying: the association was stronger among adolescents reporting lower relationship quality. Model fit indices indicated acceptable fit for the proposed model. Conclusion: These findings highlight the psychological and social pathways through which gaming addiction may relate to manipulative personality traits. Interventions aiming to improve family dynamics and reduce cyberbullying behaviors may help mitigate the negative effects of excessive gaming in adolescents.