An examination of the role of social factors in the stability of proactive and reactive aggression from late childhood to early adolescence

Abstract

There is substantial research indicating adverse outcomes associated with childhood aggression. The functions of aggression, proactive and reactive aggression, have been widely examined with distinct correlates associated with each function of aggression. However, research on the stability of the functions of aggression is scarce. Furthermore, factors that may moderate the stability of aggression have not been examined. Understanding the stability of aggression and moderating factors is important for targeted intervention. Thus, the current study examined the 3-year stability of proactive and reactive aggression and examined social factors as potential moderators. The sample included 279 participants (51.6% female) recruited from an elementary school in a small, Midwestern city and consisted of 3rd-5th graders at Time 1. Data for Time 2 was collected three years later when participants were in 6th-8th grade. At Time 1, participants completed self-report measures on demographics, proactive and reactive aggression, peer rejection, peer delinquency, and parental psychological control. At Time 2, participants completed self-report measures on proactive and reactive aggression. Results indicated that only reactive aggression was stable across three years. Additionally, among the three social factors across functions of aggression, only peer delinquency was found to moderate the association between T1 and T2 levels of reactive aggression such that T1 reactive aggression was related to T2 reactive aggression when levels of T1 peer delinquency were high. Future research should continue examining moderating factors to further identify points for targeted intervention.