Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

College

College of Science and Health

First Advisor

Yan Li

Abstract

Adolescents experience insecurity about social preference; however, its role in adolescent behavioral and mental health and subsequent social preference has not been studied. Additionally, individual differences in personality further contribute to adolescent’s behavioral and mental health development and subsequent peer liking. Using a longitudinal and muti-informant design, the present study examined whether social preference insecurity (SPI) predicted social preference through the mediation of aggression and depression and examined whether Machiavellian traits moderated these pathways among 817 adolescents (Age: M=12.19 SD=0.813, Male: n=409, 50%; Female: n=409, 50%) from middle schools in the U.S. Midwestern states. The results showed that Time 1 SPI predicted increased relational aggression, overt aggression, and depression at Time 2. Machiavellian traits further strengthened the prediction and moderated the indirect pathways to Time 3 social preference. This study supports SPI and elevated Machiavellian traits in adolescence as risk factors for increased aggression and depression, and decreased likeability. This study addresses gaps in the literature about the role of SPI and Machiavellian traits in adolescent development and presents implications for school and clinical interventions.

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