Factors Influencing Support for Insider Threat Behaviours: Anger Rumination, Job Satisfaction, Right-Wing Authoritarianism and Depression/Anxiety

The research on insider threats is largely limited to reactive security measures, with little consideration given to the psychological profile of insider threats and those that support these types of attacks against different industries and government bodies. In two studies, we examined the roles of anger rumination, job satisfaction, depression/anxiety, and right-wing authoritarianism as predictors of insider threats. In Study 1, we considered the role of anger rumination and job satisfaction as predictors of support for insider threat activities as presented through scenarios. As predicted, results indicated that both variables were strong predictors of organisational resentment and insider threat justification, with anger rumination also acting as a predictor of insider threat proclivity. In Study 2, we examined right-wing authoritarianism and depression/anxiety as predictors of insider threats. A multiple regression analysis revealed that right-wing authoritarianism negatively correlated with support for insider threats. There was no significant relationship between either depression and/or anxiety when considering support for insider threat activities. These findings suggest that a lack of authoritarian tendencies may play a role in justifying insider threat behaviours, whereas depression and anxiety do not appear to have a direct influence.