Work

The relationship between trait awe and online aggressive behavior in higher education students: Mediating effects of perspective-taking and empathic concern

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the influence of trait awe on two forms of online aggressive behavior (instrumental and reactive) among higher education students, with a focus on the mediating roles of perspective-taking and empathic concern mainly guided by the General Aggression Model. METHODS: A survey of 2111 students across several provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China collected data on the Dispositional Positive Emotions Scale, the Chinese Version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C, and the Online Aggressive Behavior Scale. Structural equation modeling was employed to test direct and indirect pathways. RESULTS: Trait awe was significantly and negatively associated with both instrumental (β = -0.06, p = 0.022) and reactive (β = -0.14, p < 0.001) online aggressive behavior. Perspective-taking and empathic concern each partially mediated these relationships. Moreover, a significant chain mediation pathway emerged for both types of aggressive behavior. CONCLUSION: Enhancing students' sense of awe, alongside bolstering their perspective-taking and empathic capacities, may effectively reduce online aggressive behavior.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105927

Authors: Yuhang Huang, Guangzheng Li

Institution: Jiangsu Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670

Funder: Jiangsu Normal University