ONLINE DISINHIBITION AND ONLINE AGGRESSION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION

Abstract

Online aggression has become an increasingly important concern among young adults due to the widespread use of digital communication platforms. Guided by the Online Disinhibition Effect Theory and the General Aggression Model, the present study examined the relationships among perceived anonymity, online disinhibition, emotional dysregulation, and online aggression among young adults. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from 442 young adults aged 18–30 years. Participants completed measures of perceived anonymity, online disinhibition, emotional dysregulation, and online aggression. Data were analyzed using correlation, regression, mediation, and moderated mediation analyses. Results indicated that perceived anonymity was positively associated with online disinhibition, which in turn significantly predicted online aggression. Online disinhibition mediated the relationship between perceived anonymity and online aggression. Emotional dysregulation significantly moderated the relationship between online disinhibition and online aggression, such that the association was stronger among individuals reporting higher levels of emotional dysregulation. Furthermore, the indirect effect of perceived anonymity on online aggression through online disinhibition increased across levels of emotional dysregulation, supporting a moderated mediation model. The findings suggest that perceived anonymity contributes to online aggression through increased online disinhibition, while emotional dysregulation amplifies this pathway. Interventions aimed at improving emotion regulation may help reduce aggressive online behavior among young adults.