A life stage and social contextual perspective on adult perpetration of online aggression.

Research on online aggression among adults is scarce, and if investigated among this group, researchers mainly focus on specific forms that have high prevalence rates among adolescents. There are indications in the scientific literature that adults, too, behave aggressively online, but the specific forms early, middle, and late adults perform might differ from those of adolescent perpetrators, as well as the social contexts in which these behaviors are performed. The present project aims to advance knowledge about and understanding of adult perpetration of online aggression. The project will formulate evidence-based answers to the following research questions: (1) Which forms of online aggression are (mostly) perpetrated by early, middle, and late adults?; (2) In which social contexts is online aggression (mostly) performed by early, middle, and late adults?; (3) Is an adults' life positioning related to performing (specific forms of) online aggression (in specific social contexts)?; and (4) Are generational values and beliefs on the use of aggression related to performing (specific forms of) online aggression (in specific contexts)?. These questions will be answered through the use of a combined research method, consisting of qualitative in-depth interviews and a quantitative cross-sectional survey.

Keywords:ONLINE AGGRESSION, ADULTS

Disciplines:Social behaviour and social action, Interpersonal communication