Leiden University Student Repository

Wijk, Roos van (2026)

Trolling in Kaart Gebracht: Een Systematische Review van de Empirische Literatuur

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

Due to the limited knowledge about trolling and its potential consequences, this systematic review aims to explore what is known so far about trolling in the empirical scientific literature. A systematic search of the electronic databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and ERIC was conducted to collect relevant literature. A total of 46 studies were included and analysed based on their focus, methodological characteristics, definitions of trolling, distinctions from cyberbullying, prevalence rates, predictors of trolling, and psychosocial consequences for both perpetrators and victims. A positive relationship was found between the personality traits narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and sadism and committing trolling, with reduced empathy as a mediating factor. Sadism and psychopathy are the strongest and most consistent predictors of trolling. The most frequently cited motivation for engaging in trolling behaviour is having previously been a victim of it. None of the included studies...Show moreDue to the limited knowledge about trolling and its potential consequences, this systematic review aims to explore what is known so far about trolling in the empirical scientific literature. A systematic search of the electronic databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and ERIC was conducted to collect relevant literature. A total of 46 studies were included and analysed based on their focus, methodological characteristics, definitions of trolling, distinctions from cyberbullying, prevalence rates, predictors of trolling, and psychosocial consequences for both perpetrators and victims. A positive relationship was found between the personality traits narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and sadism and committing trolling, with reduced empathy as a mediating factor. Sadism and psychopathy are the strongest and most consistent predictors of trolling. The most frequently cited motivation for engaging in trolling behaviour is having previously been a victim of it. None of the included studies examined the psychosocial consequences for perpetrators of trolling and only two addressed those for victims. These studies suggest that trolling can lead to various psychosocial problems for victims. No firm conclusions can be drawn due to methodological limitations of the included studies. The findings highlight knowledge gaps in the literature and offer guidance for future research. To advance the field, future research should make more use of longitudinal designs to better understand causal relationships and rely less on self-report measures. In addition, future research should explore the psychosocial consequences for both perpetrators and victims, the distinction between trolling and cyberbullying, and the prevalence rates of victimization and perpetration of trolling.Show less

Online trolling

Systematic review

Victimization

Perpetration

Author

Wijk, Roos van

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Forensische Gezinspedagogiek

Supervisors

Van Geel, M.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl