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The Relationship Between Social Problem-Solving and Passive-Aggressive Behavior Among Adolescents
Zita Gál1,2, Márió Tibor Nagy3, István Károly Takács4
1Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Hungary.
Summary
Passive-aggressive behaviors in adolescents are linked to problem-solving styles. Older teens show more negative problem orientation, with specific passive-aggression patterns emerging in distinct problem-solving profiles.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Understanding passive-aggressive behavior and social problem-solving is crucial for adolescent development.
- Previous research often lacks adolescent-specific measures for passive-aggressive behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between passive-aggressive behavior and social problem-solving styles in Hungarian adolescents.
- To compare these relationships between 16- and 18-year-olds.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Passive Aggression Scale (PAS) and the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) with 496 adolescents (16- and 18-year-olds).
- Employed latent profile analysis to identify distinct problem-solving profiles.
- Assessed reliability of both questionnaires for the specified age groups.
Main Results:
- 18-year-olds exhibited a higher likelihood of negative problem orientation.
- A strong positive correlation was found between criticism-impulsivity and ignoring-rationality in both age groups.
- Distinct problem-solving profiles emerged: two for 16-year-olds (mixed, positive rational) and three for 18-year-olds (mixed, positive rational, negative avoidant).
Conclusions:
- Passive-aggressive characteristics varied across problem-solving profiles, particularly in older adolescents.
- Criticism was linked to impulsive avoiders, ignoring to positive rationalists, and sabotage to mixed profiles.
- Highlights the need for adolescent-specific measures of passive-aggressive behaviors to understand developmental and socio-psychological patterns.
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