Open Access

ARTICLE

Childhood psychological maltreatment and online trolling among college students: The mediating role of moral disengagement and the moderating role of mindfulness

Xu Tang^1,2, Fang Li^1,3,*, Biyun Wu⁴

1 School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610066, China
2 Sichuan Urban Vocational College, Chengdu, 610110, China
3 Sichuan Key Laboratory of Psychology and Behaviour of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610066, China
4 Center of Mental Health Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China

* Corresponding Author: Fang Li. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2025, 35(2), 215-221. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.067163

Received 06 May 2024; Accepted 13 October 2024; Issue published 30 June 2025

Abstract

This study explored the connection between childhood psychological maltreatment and online trolling, as well as the influence of moral disengagement and mindfulness in that relationship. A total of 984 college students (54% females, Mean age = 20.9 years, SD = 1.57 years) took part in the current research. The students responded to standardized measures of childhood psychological maltreatment, online trolling, moral disengagement, mindfulness. Results following the regression and the mediation analyses showed that childhood psychological maltreatment was associated with higher online trolling among college students. Moral disengagement played a mediating role in the link between childhood psychological maltreatment and online trolling, predicting to increased trolling behavior. Furthermore, mindfulness moderated the direct connection between moral disengagement and online trolling. Specifically, compared to those with high mindfulness, individuals with high moral disengagement were more inclined to engage in online trolling when they had low mindfulness. These findings add to our understanding of how and when childhood psychological maltreatment relates to online trolling of which moral engagement and mindfulness would be protective.

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Keywords

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