Abstract
This study investigated mechanisms behind proactive and reactive aggression, by examining whether four types of self-serving
cognitive distortions and the personality traits agreeableness and conscientiousness differently predicted proactive and reactive
aggression. Self-report questionnaires and a peer nominations method were administered to 173 sixth grade children (age 10–13)
of regular elementary schools in the Netherlands. Negative binomial regression analyses showed that proactive aggression was
predicted by self-centered and disagreeable tendencies, whereas reactive aggression was predicted by the misattribution of
blame to others and the self-regulatory aspects of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Findings emphasize the need to differentiate
proactive and reactive aggression in order to accurately predict, prevent and treat aggressive behaviors in childhood.
cognitive distortions and the personality traits agreeableness and conscientiousness differently predicted proactive and reactive
aggression. Self-report questionnaires and a peer nominations method were administered to 173 sixth grade children (age 10–13)
of regular elementary schools in the Netherlands. Negative binomial regression analyses showed that proactive aggression was
predicted by self-centered and disagreeable tendencies, whereas reactive aggression was predicted by the misattribution of
blame to others and the self-regulatory aspects of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Findings emphasize the need to differentiate
proactive and reactive aggression in order to accurately predict, prevent and treat aggressive behaviors in childhood.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9407-6
- Authors
- Sophieke Koolen, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Astrid Poorthuis, Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Marcel A. G. van Aken, Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916