Exploring the Influence of the Dark Triad on Indirect Cyber Aggression: A Longitudinal Study of a Taiwanese Sample.

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests a link between Dark Triad personality traits and cyber aggression but inconsistencies exist. These inconsistencies may be due to limitations in past studies (e.g., using single measures of cyber aggression, summing up individual Dark Triad measures without assessing their interactions, and/or over-relying on cross-sectional data). To address these gaps, this innovative study followed a large sample of Taiwanese (N = 880) and employed a longitudinal design to examine the main and potentially interactive effects of individual Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) on three specific forms of indirect cyber aggression (cyberstalking, exclusion, and outing) assessed one year apart. By investigating these relationships over time, this longitudinal study aims to shed light on the nuanced interplay between personality and online misconduct. Findings reveal a significant interaction between Machiavellianism and narcissism, such that individuals high in both traits exhibit a greater propensity for all three forms of indirect cyber aggression. Moreover, individuals high on both psychopathy and narcissism are more likely to engage in outing behaviors, potentially due to the ease of accessing personal information online. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between personality and online aggression.