Correlates of Relational and Physical Aggression among Peers and Dating Partners in a College Sample

Abstract

Individuals who engage in aggressive behaviors often do so within multiple relationships (e.g., with peers, romantic partners). Studies have identified several correlates and risk factors pertaining to the type of aggression used (i.e., physical or relational) in either peer or dating/romantic relationships. Specifically, there are social-cognitive (e.g., normative beliefs about aggression), affective (e.g., emotional dysregulation), and personality variables (e.g., callous-unemotional traits) that have been identified as placing individuals at greater risk of engagement in aggression. However, associations between risk factors, subtypes of aggression, and relationship context have rarely been examined within a single study. It is important to do so to examine whether there is an underlying risk profile that that can be useful in predicting aggression regardless of the type of relationship. We investigated these associations among a subset of one hundred and forty-seven college students, aged 18–25, who participated in a larger study. We used several measures to assess important theoretical correlates, including exclusivity beliefs, normative beliefs about aggression, rumination, emotional dysregulation, and callous-unemotional (CU) traits. Path analysis revealed that peer relational and peer physical aggression were predicted by peer exclusivity, normative beliefs about aggression, and callous-unemotional traits. Dating physical aggression was predicted by romantic exclusivity and peer physical aggression, whereas dating relational aggression was predicted by romantic exclusivity, normative beliefs about relational aggression, and peer relational aggression. Findings are discussed regarding implications and future research on physical and relational aggression among peers and romantic partners within a college setting.