Are narcissists trolls? A cross-sectional study about aggression, trolling behavior, narcissism, and the moderating role of self-esteem

Abstract

Whether in social media, in news services, or via instant messaging systems - in places where people communicate online, one can occasionally encounter internet trolls. Trolls are real people, who engage in destructive, aggressive, or disruptive behavior online, usually under the protection of anonymity. In this cross-sectional study the relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, self-esteem, aggression, and trolling behavior was investigated on the basis of four assumptions. To test the hypotheses, data from 149 participants were analyzed. The results indicated that aggression and trolling behavior were positively related. Significant positive correlations of both forms of narcissism with aggression and trolling behavior were obtained. Finally, the extent to which self-esteem exhibits a moderating influence on the association between narcissism and trolling was examined. Specifically, high self-esteem was shown to weaken the correlation between narcissism and trolling behavior. Therefore, high self-esteem neutralized the unfavorable impact of high narcissism on trolling. The findings may serve to better understand the personality structure of trolls and the psychological mechanisms involved in their internet trolling behavior.