Recent studies have shown a positive relationship between victimisation and perpetration of toxic behaviour in online gaming. However, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear, despite its importance for identifying possible interventions. Drawing on appraisal theory and previous findings from gaming contexts as well as non-gaming (i.e., sports and organisational) contexts, this study examined whether negatively appraising victimisation of toxic behaviour explained the association between victimisation and perpetration through negative affect. 

Using a cross-sectional survey design with 89 participants, multiple regression analysis provided support for the mediation effect of negative affect, but not appraisal as a moderating factor. Future research should aim to achieve a better understanding of the underlying mechanism, possibly by applying a better-fitting theory from similar non-gaming contexts, with the goal of identifying possible interventions to reduce or prevent further perpetration, and therewith victimisation of toxic behaviour in online gaming.

Keywords: Toxic behaviour, victimisation, perpetration, e-sports, online gaming, negative affect, appraisal