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Associations between forms of aggression and peer victimization: Does prosocial behavior matter?
Carlos R Sanchez1, John L Cooley1, Drew E Winters2
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
Development and Psychopathology
|January 22, 2024
Summary
Prosocial behavior can reduce peer victimization linked to relational aggression. However, physical aggression poses stable victimization risks, especially for boys, while prosocial behavior protects girls.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Childhood Social Behavior
- Peer Victimization Studies
Background:
- Limited understanding of factors mitigating aggression-victimization links.
- Peer victimization is a significant concern during middle childhood.
- Aggressive behaviors are often associated with increased peer victimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine prosocial behavior as a moderator of aggression-victimization associations.
- To investigate these links over a two-year period in middle childhood.
- To explore gender differences in the moderating effects of prosocial behavior.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 410 third-grade students and their teachers.
- Assessment of aggressive behaviors (physical and relational) and peer victimization.
- Statistical analysis to identify moderating effects of prosocial behavior.
Main Results:
- Prosocial behavior was linked to lower initial victimization; relational aggression to higher initial victimization.
- Physical aggression predicted stable victimization patterns over time.
- Prosocial behavior moderated the link between relational aggression and victimization, and showed gender-specific effects for physical aggression.
Conclusions:
- Prosocial behavior can buffer the negative impact of relational aggression on peer victimization.
- Physical aggression presents a more persistent risk for victimization, with differing effects based on gender and prosocial behavior.
- Interventions promoting prosocial behavior may help reduce peer victimization in middle childhood.
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