Correlates of Cyber Aggression in Young Adults

Abstract

This research papers explored the relationship between self-control, moral disengagement, and cyber aggression in young adults. The primary hypotheses of the study were (a) self-control and moral disengagement are likely to have a negative relationship with cyber aggression in young adults; (b) self-control and moral disengagement are likely to predict cyber aggression in young adults. The secondary hypotheses were (c) men are likely to show more cyber aggression and moral disengagement as compared to women, (d) women are likely to show more self-control as compared to men. Correlational research design was used with purposive sampling technique. Sample size was calculated by using G*-power formula. A total of 200 participants (Men, n = 100; women, n = 100) were included. The Self-control scale (Tangney et al., 2004b), the Propensity to Morally Disengage scale (Moore et al., 2012), and the Cyber MAD scale (DeMarsico et al., 2021) were used to test the hypotheses. Results revealed a negative correlation between self-control and cyber aggression and a positive relationship between self-control and moral disengagement. Regression analysis revealed that self-control negatively predicted cyber aggression. Independent sample t-test results revealed that moral disengagement was higher in women (M = 38.83, SD = 6.34) compared to men (M = 35.37, SD = 7.77). The findings of this research will provide a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of cyber aggression and will be helpful in developing targeted interventions that promote positive and ethical online relationships for young adults.