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Internet trolling is a form of online aggression that can have negative psychological effects on its victims. This study examines whether Internet trolling behaviors is related to general strain theory. Respondents were solicited from Mechanical Turk and completed an anonymous, Internet-based survey measuring a variety of trolling behaviors and strains (i.e., cyberbullying victimization, trolling victimization, financial strain, and social strain). Of the 259 respondents, 55% self-reported engaging in Internet trolling behaviors. Partial correlations, controlling for sex and age, suggested trolling was significantly related to cyberbullying victimization, trolling victimization, financial strain, and social strain. The hierarchical (blockwise entry) logistic regression found trolls scored higher on cyberbullying victimization, trolling victimization, and financial strain compared to non-trolls. In addition, there was a marginally significant relationship between trolling and higher scores on social strain. Men were also more likely to engage in trolling behaviors compared to women. We conclude there is a relationship between online trolling behaviors and general strain theory. Future research should consider other sources of strain and comparisons between the different types of trolling behaviors (e.g., flaming, griefing, and memorial page trolling) when examining the relationship between trolling and strains. Additional future research suggestions and study limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberbullying and internet trolling are both forms of online aggression or cyberharassment; however, research has yet to assess the prevalence of these behaviors in relationship to one another. In addition, the current study was the first to investigate whether individual differences and self-esteem discerned between self-reported cyberbullies and/or internet trolls (i.e., Never engaged in either, Cyberbully-only, Troll-only, Both Cyberbully and Troll). Of 308 respondents solicited from Mechanical Turk, 70 engaged in cyberbullying behaviors, 20 engaged in only trolling behaviors, 129 self-reported both behaviors, and 89 self-reported neither behavior. Results yielded low self-esteem, low conscientiousness, and low internal moral values for both cyberbullying and trolling behaviors. However, there were differentiating factors between individuals who only engaged in cyberbullying behaviors (high on neuroticism) vs. trolling-only behaviors (high on openness to experience). Individuals who engaged in both behaviors scored higher on extraversion, lower on agreeableness, and lower on self-esteem compared to individuals who engaged in neither behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case studies suggest a relationship between Asperger syndrome (AS) and computer hacking. The current study examined whether characteristics associated with AS were significantly related to hacking, cyberbullying, identity theft, and virus writing. Two hundred and ninety-six university undergraduate students completed an Internet-based anonymous survey measuring self-reported computer deviant behaviour and characteristics associated with AS (autism-spectrum quotient; AQ). Of the 296 university students, 179 (60%) engaged in some form of computer deviant behaviour, but only 2 (0.01%) yielded clinically significant scores according to the AQ. Contrary to the authors' expectations, hackers did not score higher on the AQ compared to non-computer hackers. However, virus writers, identity thieves, and cyberbullies scored higher on the AQ compared to their computer non-deviant counterparts. In addition, individuals who engaged in hacking, identity theft, cyberbullying, and virus writing scored higher on the AQ and reported poorer social skills, poorer communication, and poorer imagination compared to all other individuals engaging in computer deviant behaviours. Considerations for future research and study limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]