Identifying Predictors of Instrumental and Reactive Aggression Among Low-Income Minority Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Research on both the forms and functions of aggression has yet to include the experiences of low-income minority adolescent girls, particularly Latinas. The present study addresses this limitation by applying ecological systems theory to identify risk and protective factors across multiple domains that increase and mitigate aggressive behavior among a sample of 212 low-income minority adolescent girls, primarily Latinas. Using hierarchical regression, 4 models are presented that capture significant risk and protective factors for instrumental overt aggression, instrumental relational aggression, reactive overt aggression, and reactive relational aggression. Results reveal several interesting patterns of risk and protection for each subtype of aggressive behavior. Relationships with parents and peers are key predictors for this sample, representing both risk and protection that might relate to important cultural factors. The study findings offer further considerations of culturally relevant, gender-specific risk and protective factors. Implications for social work research in terms of refining current prevention and intervention strategies are discussed.