Dark Triad Personality Traits and Adolescent Cyber-Aggression

• In Event: Online Harassment and Victimization

Abstract

The current study empirically investigates the relationships between the Dark Triad personality traits and cyber-aggression among adolescents (14-18 year old). The sample consisted of 324 participants aged 14 to 18 (M = 16.05, SD = 1.31). Participants completed the Short Dark Triad (SD3) as a measure of the Dark Triad personality traits, the Facebook Intensity Scale and a scale to measure cyber-aggression. Structural equation modelling was applied to investigate the relationships. Results show that only Facebook intensity and psychopathy significantly predict cyber-aggression, when controlling for age and gender. Findings are discussed regarding the potential importance to further study Dark Triad traits, and psychopathy in particular, in the context of adolescent cyber-aggression.

Authors

• Sara Pabian, University of Antwerp

• Charlotte Jacqueline De Backer, U of Antwerp

• Heidi Vandebosch, U of Antwerp - Department of Communication Studies