Differential Associations Between Relational and Overt Aggression and Children’s Psychosocial Adjustment

Abstract

Although much research has focused on the association between childhood aggression and negative psychosocial adjustment, the link between the subtypes of aggression and adjustment is less clear, particularly for relational aggression. The current study examined whether overt and relational aggression in childhood (M010.4 years, SD01.1) are differentially associated with four psychosocial adjustment outcomes (i.e., academic performance, social problems, depression, and delinquency). Results indicated that relational aggression was negatively associated with academic performance, while overt aggression was positively associated with delinquency.

Instrumental and reactive functions and overt and relational forms of aggression

“…Further, overt (physical and verbal) aggression (e.g., hitting, name calling) is separated from relational aggression aimed at inflicting harm via relationship manipulation (e.g., gossiping, social exclusion; Little et al, 2003). Overt and relational aggression both are related to popularity among peers during adolescence, but relational more than overt aggression, which is also related to low frustration tolerance (Cillessen & Mayeux, 2004;Little et al, 2003;Preddy & Fite, 2012).…”

Relational Aggression in Middle Childhood Predicting Adolescent Social-Psychological Adjustment: The Role of Friendship Quality

“…The present longitudinal results not only support the peer socialization model but also highlight results of Crick et al (2006), showing the predictive power of relational aggression, above and beyond that of physical aggression, when investigating adjustment across development. Given mixed results regarding associations with adjustment outcomes when relational and physical aggression are jointly considered (Preddy & Fite, 2012), more work is needed to understand how both forms of aggression are associated with future social-psychological outcomes, especially risky behavior.…”

“…Relational aggression is defined as a behavior used with the intent to hurt or harm individuals by using the relationship or threat of removal of the relationship as the means of harm (Crick, Bigbee, & Howes, 1996). It is increasingly linked with negative psychological outcomes throughout development (e.g., Crick, Ostrov, & Kawabata, 2007;Preddy & Fite, 2012). When children engage in relationally aggressive acts at a young age, they are at higher risk for future adjustment problems like risky behavior and depression (Underwood, Beron, & Rosen, 2011;Werner & Crick, 2004).…”

Predicting Children’s Behavior Problems from Temperamental Attributes and Maternal Responsiveness During Preschool Period

“…. · (Lorber, del Vecchio, & Slep, 2015;Mesman, Bongers, & Koots, 2001;Smith, Calkins, Keane, Anastopoulos, & Shelton, 2004;Yune, Kang, & Oh, 2011), (Arsenio, Cooperman, & Lover, 2000;Preddy & Fite, 2012) . .…”