Examination of the relationship between cyber aggression and manipulation in romantic relationships and childhood traumas, dissociative experiences, and dark triad personality

This doctoral thesis aims to examine the relationship between cyber aggression and manipulation behaviors in romantic relationships and individuals' childhood traumas, dissociative experiences, and dark triad personality traits. The study included 870 adult participants (74.4% female, 24.6% male). Personal Information and Interview Form, the Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale, the Interpersonal Manipulation Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, and the Dark Triad Scale were used as data collection instruments. The findings revealed that 53.7% of participants reported engaging in cyber aggression toward their partner, while 50.1% reported being victims of cyber aggression. The prevalence of psychological–sexual cyber aggression was found to be 22.3%, and the prevalence of cyberstalking was 50.6%. Male participants' levels of psychological–sexual cyber aggression were significantly higher than those of females (p < .001). Zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression analyses indicated that emotional abuse (β = 0.095, p < .001), physical neglect (β = 0.145, p < .001), and psychopathy (β = 0.044, p = .003) significantly predicted cyber aggression behaviors. Cyber victimization was positively predicted by physical neglect (β = 0.131, p < .001), dissociative experiences (β = 0.021, p < .001), and psychopathy (β = 0.040, p = .004). The strongest predictor of manipulation behaviors was Machiavellianism (β = .347, p < .001); while psychopathy (β = 0.17, p < .001), narcissism (β = 0.09, p < .001), dissociative experiences (β = 0.22, p < .001), and emotional abuse (β = 0.16, p < .001) were also significant positive predictors. In contrast, emotional neglect was found to negatively predict manipulation tendencies (β = –.079, p = .035). The zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis further indicated that individuals whose educational level differed from that of their partner were less likely to belong to the "non-aggressor" structural zero group (B = –1.13), whereas those aged 36 and above were more likely to do so (B = 1.22). This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the interpersonal and developmental dynamics of digital violence behaviors and offers implications for forensic psychology and clinical assessment practices. Keywords: Cyber aggression; cyberstalking; emotional manipulation; childhood trauma; dark triad; dissociation; psychotraumatology; psychopathy; Machiavellianism; romantic relationships.