Month/Year of Graduation

12-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Mithra Pirooz

Abstract

Insight into aggression among early adolescents is important to understanding its predictors and consequences. In adolescence, aggression is typically related to underlying issues. Addressing this is important, as unmanageable aggression progressing past early adolescence can result in involvement in the criminal justice system. Studies show that peer victimization is associated with increased levels of aggression. Aggressive adolescents may attract victimization from their peers, or those who are victimized may respond with aggression. The current study followed a sample of 182 fifth and sixth graders over the course of the school year. Constructs such as aggression, peer victimization, and social withdrawal were measured. Aggression was stable over the course of the school year. Boys were significantly higher in peer victimization at the beginning of the school year. However, boys were also significantly higher in aggression at both the beginning and end of the school year compared to girls. Aggression at the end of the school year was positively associated with peer victimization at the beginning of the school year. Regression analyses were also conducted to predict change in aggression. Furthermore, peer victimization predicted aggression. Social withdrawal moderated this relationship.

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