Objective: This study aims to explore and develop a research model that investigates the dynamic between perceived parenting style, bullying, cyberbullying, empathy and vulnerability of young adults.
Participants: A total of 135 young adults (age between 18-21 years - 37,8%, age between 22-25 years - 22,2%, age between 26-29 years - 11,9%, age between 30-33 years - 11,9%, age between 34-37 years - 16,3%) participated in this study.
Methods: Data were collected at a single point in time, by completing the self-report questionnaires regarding bullying, cyberbullying, perceived parental styles, aggression, empathy and vulnerability.
Results: Responsiveness (of mother, father, parental) and control (of mother, father, parental) when high levels correlate negatively with certain facets of bullying, cyberbullying, aggression (physical, verbal, anger, hostility) and vulnerability. On the other hand, empathy is the variable that correlated positively with responsiveness and control, which means that as the level of responsiveness and control increases, empathy also follows an upward slope.
Conclusions: Aggression, in any form, is a complex behavior. Starting from bullying and up to forms adapted to changes in society such as cyberbullying, it is necessary to see the connection with other elements related to the individual, in order to better understand this phenomenon. Parenting styles, especially parental responsiveness and control, empathy and vulnerability can have an impact on the frequency of bullying and cyberbullying.