Relational aggression, big five and hostile attribution bias in adolescents

Cognitive pathways to the forms and functions of aggression in adolescence: the role of early maladaptive schemas and social information processing

Introduction

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have been found to associate to aggressive behavior, though the cognitive pathways underlying that association remain scarcely investigated, particularly considering the different forms and functions of aggression. The current work explores the sequential mediation pathways linking EMSs and variables related to social information processing (SIP; i.e., hostile attribution of intent and evaluation of overt and relational responses) to aggressive behaviors.

Methods

A sample of 516 adolescents (M age = 16.54, 69.4% female) filled in self-report questionnaires on EMSs, SIP, and the forms and functions of aggression. A model generation approach based on retaining only significant direct pathways was applied to four mediation models that differed in the outcome variable: reactive overt aggression, proactive overt aggression, reactive relational aggression, and proactive relational aggression.

Results

Results showed the salience of EMSs within the disconnection and rejection and the impaired limits domains and of a positive evaluation of aggressive response options. Alternatively, specific results were found for hostile attribution of intent in relation to relational aggression regardless of its function, for reactive overt aggression, and for proactive overt aggression (e.g., hostile attribution of intention impacted indirectly on relational aggression, directly on reactive overt aggression and did not impact on proactive overt aggression).

Discussion

Overall and specific findings are discussed based on both developmental (e.g., early neglectful or punitive experiences) and current interaction processes (e.g., social or personal gains associated with the practice of aggressive behavior). Overall, adolescent aggression seems sustained by cognitive pathways that may be more malleable to change based on joint intra and interpersonal intervention efforts.

Aggression and the Big Five Personality Factors Among Fitness Practitioners and Pre-Workout Consumers

Background: The use of pre-workout supplements has surged among fitness practitioners, with various ingredients purported to enhance performance and recovery. This study aims to explore the potential link between pre-workout supplement consumption and aggression, as well as the correlation between the Big Five personality traits and aggression levels. Methods: The sample comprised 62 male fitness practitioners aged 20-55 years, divided into two groups: 32 pre-workout consumers and 30 non-consumers. Participants were assessed using the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results: The results indicated no statistically significant differences in aggression levels between the supplement users and the control group. However, notable personality differences were observed, with pre-workout users showing lower Neuroticism and higher Agreeableness and Conscientiousness compared to non-users. Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between Neuroticism and all forms of aggression, while Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were negatively correlated with aggression. Conclusions: These findings suggest that personality traits may play a more substantial role in moderating aggression among pre-workout users than the supplements themselves. Further research is needed to clarify the potential long-term effects of pre-workout supplementation on aggression and personality dynamics.

Patterns of relational aggression, narcissism, and self-esteem: Adolescents’ social goals unraveled

This study applies latent profile analysis to identify profiles of adolescents differentiated on levels of relational aggression (RAgg), self-esteem, and narcissism. To understand the social aspects of these profiles within the adolescent peer context, we compare them to their reported social goals of dominance, popularity, and intimacy. Greek junior high school students ( N = 2,207), selected via random stratified cluster sampling, aged 13–16 ( M = 14.04, SD =.81), completed a self-report survey. Based on self-esteem, narcissism, and RAgg scores, four groups emerged: the group with the lowest scores in RAgg, narcissism, and self-esteem (“low risk”), the group with the highest scores in RAgg, narcissism, and self-esteem (“relational aggressors with narcissistic self-esteem”), the group with moderate scores in RAgg, narcissism, and self-esteem (“moderate risk”), and the group with high RAgg and narcissism scores but low self-esteem (“relational aggressors with vulnerable self-esteem”). Relational aggressors with high narcissism and self-esteem scored higher on social goals than those with vulnerable self-esteem (high narcissism but low self-esteem). Preventive policies should replace excessive and unconditional praise with more realistic self-esteem sources and teach adolescents how to respond to negative feedback and to cope with ego threats or social placement concerns.

Applying a bifactor model to the functions of relational aggression: Associations with hostile attribution biases and difficulties with emotion regulation

Previous research suggests that reactive and proactive aggression likely have distinct underlying mechanisms that uniquely contribute to the perpetration of each as a result of faulty cognitive and emotional processes. Still, very little work has examined the association of the functions of relational aggression with emotion dysregulation and hostile attribution biases. In addition, it is important to examine relational aggression in its pure and co-occurring functions given that past work finds reactive and proactive aggression to occur both jointly and distinctly. Thus, the current study employed a bifactor model to distinguish between pure reactive, pure proactive, and co-occurring relational aggression in emerging adulthood (N = 647, M_age  = 19.92, SD = 2.83), a developmental time period for which relational aggression is particularly prominent. To further address gaps in the relational aggression literature, indirect pathway models revealed that relational hostile attribution biases emerged as a concurrent indirect path in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and pure reactive relational aggression. Furthermore, emotion dysregulation was directly positively associated with both pure functions as well as co-occurring relational aggression, and hostile attribution biases for relational provocations were directly associated with both pure functions of relational aggression, though the association was negative for pure proactive and positive for pure reactive relational aggression. Findings highlight the potential influence of emotion dysregulation and attributing hostile intent to social situations on engaging in the different functions of relational aggression.

Big Five Traits Based Profiles and Humor Styles in Preadolescents

Abstract. The present study investigated the relationship between Big Five traits-based profiles and humor styles in a sample of 426 Greek preadolescents. Latent Profile Analysis yielded three distinct personality profiles: resilients, average, and undercontrollers. These profiles exhibited significant group differences in humor styles. The resilient profile displayed the highest scores on the two benign humor styles and the lowest on the two malign styles. On the contrary, the under controllers scored lowest on the two benign humor styles and highest on self-defeating humor. Findings showed that the patterns identified in the extant literature between humor, personality, and adjustment generalize to preadolescents. These are discussed with reference to prior work and relevant theoretical implications.

Longitudinal relationships among interpersonal openness trait, hostile attribution bias, and displaced aggressive behaviour: Big Five treated as covariates

Displaced aggressive behaviour is associated with many negative outcomes. Although certain personality traits predict displaced aggressive behaviour, the uniquely longitudinal effect of indigenous interpersonal traits on displaced aggressive behaviour is ignored. To address this gap, we explored the longitudinal relationship among an indigenously interpersonal trait of China (interpersonal openness), hostile attribution bias, and self-reported displaced aggressive behaviour. Additionally, we tested whether hostile attribution bias mediated the relationship between interpersonal openness and self-reported displaced aggressive behaviour. The Interpersonal Self-Support Scale for Undergraduate Students, Word Sentence Association Paradigm for Hostility, Displaced Aggression Questionnaire, and the NEO Personality Inventory-3 were administered to 942 undergraduates on two occasions, 6 months apart. A cross-lagged model showed that, after controlling for the Big Five personality traits, interpersonal openness predicted subsequent hostile attribution bias, and hostile attribution bias predicted self-reported displaced aggressive behaviour 6 months later. Hostile attribution bias at time 2 mediated the relationship between interpersonal openness at time 1 and self-reported displaced aggressive behaviour at time 2. These results were consistent with the interpersonal self-support theory's appraisals of interpersonal openness, and they extended the social information processing and general aggression models to explain displaced aggressive behaviour.

The mediating role of friendship jealousy and anxiety in the association between parental attachment and adolescents' relational aggression: A short-term longitudinal cross-lagged analysis

BACKGROUND

Limited research has confirmed the effects of adolescents' interactions with parents on adolescents' engagement in relational aggression. Youth reporting insecure attachment with parents are more likely to be involved in Relational aggression, while the positive association of Relational aggression with emotions such as friendship jealousy and anxiety are well-documented. However, little is known about the longitudinal association between parental attachment and Relational aggression.

OBJECTIVE

The current study expands upon previous research by investigating the short-term longitudinal associations between father and mother attachment (i.e., dependency, availability) and relational aggression, with friendship jealousy and anxiety as potential mediators of this association based on the theoretical framework of General Aggression Model.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample consisted of 2207 Greek adolescents (52.8 % girls) attending the three junior high school grades.

METHODS

Participants completed a self-report questionnaire at two different time points with a six-month interval during the school year.

RESULTS

Results showed that that higher T1 father dependency (β = 0.14) and availability (β = 0.11), and lower mother dependency (β = -0.12) and availability (β = -0.11) were associated with higher relational aggression at T2. Further, the effects of T1 father availability (β = - 0.02), mother availability (β = -0.04), mother dependency (β = -0.03) to T2 relational aggression through friendship jealousy were significant. Finally, the effects of T1 father availability (β = -0.03), father dependency (β = -0.02), mother availability (β = -0.03), mother dependency (β = -0.02) to T2 relational aggression via anxiety were also significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide an understanding of the relational aggression during adolescence by emphasizing the role of both social parameters and affective characteristics of the perpetrators.

Relational Aggression and Narcissistic Traits: How Youth Personality Pathology Informs Aggressive Behavior

Low agreeableness features centrally in personality profiles of Cluster B personality disorder (PD) diagnoses, and it has been associated with relational aggression (RAgg; intentionally damaging others' social relationships). Researchers have hypothesized that RAgg may be a potential developmental precursor for Cluster B PDs. However, a dimensional approach to personality dysfunction is preferable to the categorical system found in the current diagnostic manual. To build a bridge between two disjointed literatures (categorical PDs and RAgg), the aim of this project is to detail how RAgg in youth is situated in the trait space represented by disagreeableness in a dimensional model of personality pathology. Caregivers of 911 youth (ages 6-18) reported on youth's RAgg and disagreeableness. We found that RAgg was most strongly related to three facets: Narcissistic traits, Hyperexpressive traits, and Dominance-Egocentrism traits. Overall, these findings provide support for RAgg as an early manifestation of personality pathology, particularly for narcissistic traits.

Effect of workplace ostracism on emotional exhaustion and unethical behaviour among Chinese nurses: A time-lagged three-wave survey

AIM

This study examined the following: (a) the impact of nurses' workplace ostracism on unethical behaviour; (b) mediating role of emotional exhaustion between nurses' workplace ostracism and unethical behaviour; and (c) moderating effect of hostile attribution bias.

BACKGROUND

While unethical behaviour is a workplace phenomenon that can negatively influence the sustainable development of settings, few nurse studies have explored it. This study identified an interpersonal antecedent of unethical behaviour: workplace ostracism.

DESIGN

A time-lagged three-wave survey was conducted over 3 months (November 2016-January 2017) to collect data.

METHODS

Nurses (N = 530) from three hospitals in China completed three anonymous self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, linear regression, and moderated mediation tests were performed, and data analysed using SPSS 23.0 and Mplus7.4.

RESULTS

Workplace ostracism positively influenced nurses' unethical behaviour and emotional exhaustion mediated the relationship between workplace ostracism and unethical behaviour. Nurses' hostile attribution bias moderated the effect of workplace ostracism on emotional exhaustion and unethical behaviour.

CONCLUSION

Workplace ostracism was an important interpersonal factor predicting unethical behaviour. Nurse supervisors should establish a harmonious interpersonal environment and be aware of hostile attribution bias to prevent nurses' unethical behaviour.

IMPACT

Workplace ostracism is a pervasive phenomenon in the nursing workplace that contributes to unethical behaviour. Nurse supervisors and staff should together establish harmonious working environments without workplace ostracism. Nurse supervisors should pay attention to nurses' emotions and conduct psychological counselling to minimize the negative effects of workplace ostracism. This study contributed to understanding how and why nurses engaged in unethical behaviour.

The Computations of hostile biases (CHB) model: Grounding hostility biases in a unified cognitive framework

Our behavior is partly a product of our perception of the world, and aggressive individuals have been found to have 'hostility biases' in their perception and interpretation of social information. Four types of hostility biases can be distinguished: the hostile attribution, interpretation, expectation, and perception bias. Such low-level biases are believed to have a profound influence on decision-making, and possibly also increase the likelihood of engaging in aggressive acts. The current review systematically examined extant research on the four types of hostility bias, with a particular focus on the associations between each type of hostility bias and aggressive behavior. The results confirmed the robust association between hostility biases and aggressive behavior. However, it is still unknown how exactly hostility biases are acquired. This is also caused by a tendency to study hostility biases separately, as if they are non-interacting phenomena. Another issue is that current approaches cannot directly quantify the latent cognitive processes pertaining to the hostility biases, thus creating an explanatory gap. To fill this gap, we embedded the results of the systematic review in a state-of-the-art computational framework, which provides a novel mechanistic account with testable predictions.

Microaggression Research and Application: Clarifications, Corrections, and Common Ground

In this issue, Williams (pp. 3-26) responds to my 2017 critique in this journal of the scientific status of the microaggression research program (MRP). In some cases, she presents helpful data that partially address several of my recommendations for enhancing the MRP's rigor. Nevertheless, because she appears to misconstrue many of my arguments regarding the MRP, many of her rebuttals are not relevant to my criticisms. Furthermore, her assertions notwithstanding, Williams does not effectively address my concerns regarding the (a) excessively fuzzy boundaries of the microaggression construct, (b) psychometric hazards of relying exclusively on subjective reports when detecting microaggressions, and (c) hypothesized causal impact of microaggressions on mental health. In other cases, Williams appears to draw causal inferences from correlational data and conflate within-group with between-group differences. Although several of Williams's recommendations for MRP research are worth considering, I contend that some others are unlikely to be conducive to a scientific approach to microaggressions. The MRP remains a promising but provisional research program that would benefit from greater openness to outside criticism. I conclude with a discussion of areas of potential common ground in microaggression research and application.

Brain structure links trait hostile attribution bias and attitudes toward violence

The majority of research regarding hostile attribution bias focuses on its effect on aggression. However, little is known about the brain structure associated with trait hostile attribution bias and the mediating mechanism underlying this link. The current study uses voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to identify the brain regions related to individual differences in trait hostile attribution bias, measured by a Word Sentence Association Paradigm - Hostility in a sample of 176 undergraduate students. Subsequently, two mediation models with regard to brain structure, trait hostile attribution bias, and attitudes toward violence (measured by the Attitudes toward Violence Scale) were analyzed. The results reveal that trait hostile attribution bias is positively correlated with gray matter volume (GMV) in the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and negatively associated with the left lingual gyrus (LG). Furthermore, attitudes toward violence acted as a mediator underlying the association between the left OFC volume and trait hostile attribution bias. Such bias also mediated the relationship between the left OFC and attitudes toward violence. We argue that attitudes toward violence and trait hostile attribution bias seem to predict each other, and the GMV in the left OFC may involve the underlying cognitive mechanism of the bidirectional relationship between the two variables. These results and ideas may shed light on the current understanding of the relationships of the brain's anatomical features, attitudes toward violence, and trait hostile attribution bias.