Aggressive Problem-Solving Strategies, Aggressive Behavior, and Social Acceptance in Early and Late Adolescence

• NCJ Number: 195461
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 279-287
• Author(s): Liisa Keltikangas-Jarvinen
• Date Published: August 2002
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This journal article discusses the relationship among aggressive problem-solving strategies, aggressive behaviors, and social acceptance of early and late adolescence.

Abstract

The author of this article presents an examination of the relationships among aggressive problem-solving strategies, aggressive behaviors, and social acceptance in adolescents. Aggressive behavior has been deemed a substantial social problem in adolescence, and past research has demonstrated that aggressive adolescents often interpret others’ intentions in a hostile manner. In the research presented in this article, 1,655 early and late adolescent boys and girls filled in questionnaires that presented them with two interpersonal, conflict situations that might occur in the everyday life of an adolescent. Correlations among aggressive strategies, aggressive behavior, and degrees of social acceptance demonstrated that aggressive problem-solving strategies were significantly associated with aggressive behaviors. The role of social acceptance was considered highly important, and accepted adolescents who were aggressive often underestimated their own aggressiveness. The author concludes that aggressive problem-solving strategies are able to predict aggressive behavior throughout adolescence and that middle adolescence is a highly appropriate time for aggression interventions. References