Why Individuals with Psychopathy and Moral Disengagement Are More Likely to Engage in Online Trolling ? The Online Disinhibition Effect

Although psychopathy is a salient risk factor in online trolling, research on how psychopathy relates to online trolling is underdeveloped. This study examined whether moral disengagement mediates the relationship between psychopathy and online trolling and whether this mediation effect is moderated by online disinhibition. A total of 1,123 Chinese college students were evaluated on psychopathy, moral disengagement, online trolling, and online disinhibition. Moderated mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships among these variables. After controlling for gender and age, the results indicated that psychopathy was positively associated with online trolling and that moral disengagement partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, online disinhibition moderated the relationship between psychopathy and online trolling as well as the relationship between moral disengagement and online trolling. These two relationships were stronger in college students with high level of online disinhibition. These results supported and extended existing research on online trolling and provide useful insights into the intervention and prevention of this antisocial online behaviour.