Research Article

Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics

Number: 4 July 26, 2026
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Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics

Abstract

Purpose: Cyberbullying is a significant threat to adolescent well-being, yet most research has used variable-centered approaches that fail to capture the complex interplay of behaviors and psychosocial factors. A person-centered approach is needed to identify how these factors cluster together within distinct subgroups of adolescents. The aim of the study is to identify distinct psychosocial profiles among Turkish adolescents by exploring how cyberbullying behaviors (cyber victimization, bullying) cluster together with psychosocial factors (depression and perceived social support). Method: The study utilized Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) on a sample of 592 Turkish adolescents. Findings: The results of the study yielded three distinct profiles: a large uninvolved (low-risk) group, a bully (perpetration-focused) group and a bully-victim (high-risk) group. The analysis revealed the critical protective influence of perceived social support and the significant risk associated with depression.  Regarding demographic characteristics, gender was the only significant demographic variable, with the bully profile being predominantly male (69.2%), while age and grade level did not significantly differ across profiles. Conclusion: The findings advance researchers’ understanding by demonstrating that these are not just behavioral roles but distinct, complex psychosocial profiles. This distinction is crucial for mental health professionals and schools, as it indicates that the bully and bully-victim groups require different preventive and developmental intervention strategies

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

School Counseling

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 26, 2026

Submission Date

December 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 4

APA
Aslan, H. (2026). Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 4, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1841931
AMA
1.Aslan H. Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics. BUEFAD. 2026;(4):1-22. doi:10.14686/buefad.1841931
Chicago
Aslan, Halil. 2026. “Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics”. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, nos. 4: 1-22. https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1841931.
EndNote
Aslan H (July 1, 2026) Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education 4 1–22.
IEEE
[1]H. Aslan, “Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics”, BUEFAD, no. 4, pp. 1–22, July 2026, doi: 10.14686/buefad.1841931.
ISNAD
Aslan, Halil. “Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics”. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education. 4 (July 1, 2026): 1-22. https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1841931.
JAMA
1.Aslan H. Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics. BUEFAD. 2026;:1–22.
MLA
Aslan, Halil. “Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics”. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, no. 4, July 2026, pp. 1-22, doi:10.14686/buefad.1841931.
Vancouver
1.Halil Aslan. Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics. BUEFAD. 2026 Jul. 1;(4):1-22. doi:10.14686/buefad.1841931

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