Perpetration of Intrusive Online Behavior: The Role of Emotion Dysregulation

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

The perpetration of stalking behaviors may include surveillance, physical following, and other face-to-face behaviors. However, the utilization of technology and electronic means of communication has created an additional arena for perpetration of problematic, intrusive behavior. The current study examines differences in the emotion regulation abilities, such as identifying emotions, accepting emotions, and controlling impulses, of perpetrators (n = 152) and nonperpetrators of electronic, intrusive behaviors. The sample consists of 860 undergraduate students from a midwestern, university. Intrusive electronic behaviors included actions such as sending exaggerated messages of affection, demanding messages, threatening communication, sexually inappropriate content, pretending to be someone else online, and altering or taking over the target’s electronic persona. Emotion regulation was examined by utilizing the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Results revealed significant differences between perpetrators and nonperpetrators, such that perpetrators demonstrated greater difficulties with emotion regulation (F = 12.35, p < .001). Perpetrators scored significantly higher on all subscales of the DERS, suggesting perpetrators experience greater difficulty in accepting and understanding their emotions, engaging in goal-directed behavior, controlling impulses, and utilizing appropriate coping strategies. A predictive model and implications for the findings will be discussed.

Authors

• Jessica Semmann, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Kyle Siddoway, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Rosa Viñas-Racionero, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Mario J. Scalora, University of Nebraska-Lincoln