Online Disinhibition and Online Trolling Among Chinese College Students: The Mediation of the Dark Triad and the Moderation of Gender

• DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0046
• Publication Date: 2022-10-17T17:53:50Z
• Authors: Biyun Wu; Li Zhou; Yuanyuan Deng; Jun Zhao; Mingfan Liu
• Keywords: Disinhibition; Moderation; Dark triad; Machiavellianism; Moderated mediation

The Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism) is associated with online disinhibition and antisocial behaviors. However, the mediating role between trolling has never previously been investigated. We examined direct indirect associations via among 1,303 participants. results showed that positively correlated trolling, their link partly mediated by Machiavellianism psychopathy. Furthermore, men exhibited higher levels of traits were more likely to engage in than women. Moderated mediation analyses indicated gender moderated relationship psychopathy trolling. study provided a promising perspective for intervention namely netizens should be taught reduce impulsivity improve empathy self-control, especially men.