Relational, Social, and Overt Aggression among Aggressive and Nonaggressive Female Adolescents

Abstract

In this study, researchers wished to further study the differentiation among forms of aggression in a diverse sample of adolescent females. Specifically, the self-reported use of relational, social, and direct verbal and physical aggression was measured in Caucasian and non-Caucasian typically developing versus overtly aggressive adolescent females. No statistically significant differences were found between typically developing and overtly aggressive adolescent female samples in the use of social or relational aggression; however, overtly aggressive adolescents reported using direct verbal or physical aggression significantly more than typically developing adolescents. Caucasian adolescents reported using significantly more relationally aggressive behaviors than non-Caucasian adolescents. No statistically significant differences were found in socially aggressive behaviors between Caucasian and non-Caucasian adolescent female samples. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Cognitive Predictors of Relational and Social Bullying, Overt Aggression, and Interpersonal Maturity in a Late Adolescent Female Sample

“…While the standard deviations for the different factors (relational bullying SD = 2.52; social bullying SD = 2.28; overt aggression SD = 1.71) suggest that there is little variance within the different types of bullying or aggression in this sample, the bullying standard deviations fall within the ranges reported in other investigations (e.g., Bell et al 2018;Clinton et al 2014;Comstock et al 2013) and are presented for the readers' reference earlier in the Methods section. However, the standard deviation for the overt aggression factor (SD = 1.71) is smaller than what has been noted in previous studies (e.g., SD = 2.16-3.19), and thus, may present a limitation to the investigation of the hypotheses presented in this study.…”

“…In other investigations using the YASB or YASB-E, means were reported as or ranging from M = 17.50-21.26 (SD = 2.48-3.55) for the relational bullying scale, M = 20.05-22.76 (SD = 1.72-3.30) for the social bullying scale, M = 14.25 (SD = 4.45) for the interpersonal maturity scale, and M = 6.36-9.17 (SD = 2.16-3.19) for the overt aggression factor of the YASB-E (Bell et al 2018;Clinton et al 2014;Comstock et al 2013). Sample items from the YASB-E include: BWhen I am frustrated with my partner/colleague/ friend, I give that person the silent treatment^and BI criticize people who are close to me^-from the relational bullying factor; BI confront people in public to achieve maximum damage^and BI contribute to the rumor mill at school/work or with my friends/family^-from the social bullying factor; BI respect my friend's opinions, even when they are quite different from my own^and BI deal with interpersonal conflict in an honest, straightforward manner^-from the interpersonal maturity factor; and Bwhen I am mad at someone, I call them mean names^and Bit is okay to hit a friend when you are angry at them^-from the overt aggression factor.…”

“…The evidence of the cost of social bullying is a diminishment in an individual's social standing (Galen and Underwood 1997) in the peer group, which damages adolescents' social self-perceptions. Finally, because of the group mentality involved with social bullying (e.g., following a dominant female's lead of disliking a victim), respite from the abusive treatment may be difficult to achieve among one's peers (Bell et al 2017;Comstock et al 2013).…”

A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Relational and Social Aggression in Female College Students from Puerto Rico and the United States

“…In a study conducted by Comstock et al (2013), statistically significant differences were found between White girls' (M = 19.32) and non-White girls' (M = 17.50) use of relational aggression as reported through the YASB, with White females demonstrating higher levels of relational aggression, t(24.13) = 2.32, p < .05 (equal variances not assumed because of a statistically significant Levene's test). However, there were no statistically significant differences found between White girls' (M = 21.43) and non-White girls' (M = 20.05) use of social aggression, t(85) = 2.01, p ≥ .05.…”

Development and Initial Validation of the Adult Aggressive Behaviour Scale (AABS)

“…Such behaviours are aimed to cause harm such as threatening, kicking, pushing, hitting, insulting others (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995;Allen & Anderson, 2017). Physical aggression and verbal aggression are considered overt aggression Buss & Perry, 1992;Prinstein et al, 2001;Comstock et al, 2013). On the other hand, relational aggression is known as indirect aggression which refers to social manipulation, damage or threat to damage relationships, gossiping or rumour spreading (Crick, 1995;Crick et al, 2002;Grus, 2003;Werner & Crick, 1999).…”