The Moderating Effect of Sex on the Relationship between Social Adversity and Aggression in Children

• In Event: Stressful Event Exposure as a Predictor of Antisocial Behavior: Considering Gender and Physiological Functioning

Abstract

Early exposure to social adversity has been previously associated with antisocial behaviors. However, prior research studies suggest that antisocial behavior in females compared to males may reflect increased susceptibility to the social environment. This study investigates whether the relationship between social adversity and aggression is consistent across sexes. Data from 425 children were analyzed. Results show that increased social adversity is associated with higher levels of total aggression, reactive aggression, and proactive aggression. Sex moderates the relationship between social adversity and total aggression and reactive aggression. Specifically, increased social adversity is associated with higher levels of total aggression and reactive aggression for females but not males. These findings contribute to growing evidence suggesting divergent etiological influences for antisocial behaviors between males and females.

Authors

• Shichun Ling, California State University, Los Angeles

• Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania