Peer victimization, cognitive factors, and aggression: a cross-sectional network analysis in adolescents

Adolescent aggression is influenced by multiple interacting cognitive and behavioral processes. Previous research has primarily used mediation and moderation models to examine directional mechanisms such as hostile attribution bias and anger rumination. However, these approaches provide limited insight into how these factors operate as an interconnected system. To this end, we employed cross-sectional network analysis to exploratorily examine the structural organization of the aggression-related network in Chinese adolescents, identify nodes with the highest centrality and bridge centrality, and explore differences in network structure between males and females. We recruited 927 Chinese adolescents (M_age = 16.20 ± 1.21 SD; 55.88% female), who completed measures of aggression, peer victimization, hostile attribution bias, anger rumination, and self-control. Network analysis was conducted to identify core and bridge nodes within the network and to compare network structures across gender groups. Our findings revealed that angry afterthoughts (AR1) and angry memories (AR3) showed the highest expected influence, highlighting their central role in the aggression network. Hostile attribution bias (HAB), hostility (A4), and relational victimization (PV2) acted as bridge nodes connecting cognitive and behavioral clusters. Although gender-specific networks displayed similar centrality patterns, the overall network structures differed significantly between males and females. These findings suggest that interventions targeting the most central elements of anger rumination may be particularly effective. Addressing these core and bridge nodes, which connect cognitive and behavioral components, could enhance the efficacy of strategies aimed at reducing aggression in Chinese adolescents.