Is Differential Coercion and Social Support Theory Useful for Cybercrime? A Test of Direct and Indirect Associations

Differential coercion and social support (DCSS) theory has not been applied to cybercrime, which is the most prevalent form of crime in industrial societies and for which theoretical development is limited. The purpose of this study is to provide a broad assessment of the ability of DCSS theory to explain a wide range of cybercrime behaviors, with survey questions asking respondents to assess the future probability of committing a given act if the opportunity to do so was present. Data collected from an opt-in research platform (N = 290) provides support for predicted associations regarding coercion, but not social support, for a global cybercrime measure as well as cyber harassment, sexual abuse, trolling, and drug dealing, but not for digital piracy. Results also show support for anger and low self-control as mediators in the coercion-cybercrime association. Implications for cybercrime and DCSS theory are discussed.