The effect of light triad on online prosocial behavior in college students: a moderated mediation model

Abstract

Objective: In the context of information technology, online prosocial behavior has attracted widespread attention, as it holds positive significance for individual socialization, group reciprocity, and the reduction of cyberattacks. However, its intrinsic driving mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Light Triad and college students’ online prosocial behavior during Internet use, as well as the mediating role of online social self-efficacy between the two and the moderating role of network social exclusion in this mediating model. Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select 536 college students from 7 universities across 5 provinces in China as participants. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the Light Triad Scale (LTS), Online Prosocial Behavior Scale (OPBS), Online Social Self-Efficacy Scale (OSSS), and Network Social Exclusion Questionnaire (NSEQ). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0 and Mplus 8.3 software. The bias-corrected nonparametric percentile Bootstrap method was employed to analyze the mediating effect of online social self-efficacy, and latent moderated structural equation (LMS) analysis was used to test the moderating effect of network social exclusion. Results: The light triad, online social self-efficacy, and online prosocial behavior were significantly positively correlated with each other, and network social exclusion was significantly negatively correlated with online social self-efficacy. The light triad not only directly and positively influenced college students’ prosocial behaviors, but also has an effect on online prosocial behavior through the mediating effect of online social self-efficacy. Network social exclusion not only moderated the direct effect of the light triad on online prosocial behavior, but also moderated the first half of the path of the light triad through the mediation of online social self-efficacy to influences online prosocial behavior. Conclusions: This study revealed the mediating role of online social self-efficacy between college students’ light triad personality and online prosocial behaviors, as well as the moderating role of network social exclusion, which provided a theoretical basis for fostering college students’ positive online behaviors by enhancing their online self-efficacy.