Poster #215 - Aggression and Prosocial Behaviors: Impacts on Social Adjustment and Negative Emotionality in Early Childhood

• In Event: 3-206 - Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: PS 13 Section - Social Relationships

Integrative Statement

Physical and relational aggression are related but distinct forms of aggression, associated with unique social and emotional adjustment difficulties (Murray-Close et al., 2016). By contrast, engaging in prosocial behavior is typically associated with positive social outcomes (Eisenberg et al., 1996). Many interventions targeting social adjustment aim to increase prosocial behavior, rather than decrease aggression (Crick, 1996). However, little is known about the effects of engaging in prosocial behavior in the context of aggression. This study examined the independent and interactive effects of relational aggression, physical aggression, and prosocial behaviors on changes in peer acceptance and peer rejection, as well as negative emotionality, a proposed temperamental link between relational and physical aggression (Tackett et al., 2014).

The current sample consists of 79 preschoolers (40.5% girls, M age = 44.31mo, SD = 3.88), largely middle to upper-middle class, from various ethnic backgrounds (1.1% African American, 5.7% Asian or Pacific Islander, 3.4% Latino/a, 11.4% multiracial, and 78.4% White), a subsample of an ongoing longitudinal study. Measures were obtained at three time points, spring of year 1 (T1), fall of year 2 (T2), and spring of year 2 (T3). Reliable school-based observations of physical and relational aggression and prosocial behavior (ICC's > .70) using focal child sampling with continuous recording procedures (Ostrov & Keating, 2004) were collected from trained research assistants at each time point. Teacher reports of peer rejection (α > .80) and peer acceptance (α = .60 to .83) (PSBS-TF, Crick et al., 1997) and negative emotionality (CADS, Lahey et al., 2008; α > .80) were also collected at each time point.

Preliminary analyses indicated physical aggression, relational aggression, and prosocial behavior were moderately correlated (r’s = .37 to .40, p’s < .001). Peer acceptance and peer rejection were moderately negatively correlated at each time point (r’s = -.46 to -.60, p’s < .001). Hierarchical regression models were conducted as primary analyses, controlling for age, gender, alternative form of aggression, and levels of the outcome variable at T1 and T2, respectively (see Tables 1 and 2). Physical aggression at T1 predicted increases in peer rejection at T3 (β = .33, t = 2.99, p < .01), while prosocial behavior predicted decreases in peer rejection (β = -.23, t = -2.22, p < .05). An interaction between physical aggression and prosocial behavior marginally predicted decreases in peer rejection (β = -.21, t = -1.74, p < .10). Physical aggression also predicted decreases in peer acceptance (β = -.43, t = -4.06, p < .001), and prosocial behavior predicted increases (β = .22, t = 2.12, p < .05). Finally, physical aggression predicted increases in negative emotionality (β = .20, t = 2.10, p < .05). Relational aggression was not a significant predictor of change in any outcome measure.

Overall, the findings provide additional evidence of the negative impacts of physical aggression on social adjustment, and the positive outcomes associated with prosocial behavior in early childhood. An additional cohort (n = 116) will be available in time for the meeting.
 

Authors

• Gretchen Perhamus, University at Buffalo
  Presenting Author

• Jamie Ostrov, University of Buffalo
  Non-Presenting Author