Peer rejection and social information-processing factors in the development of aggressive behavior problems in children.
The relation between social rejection and growth in antisocial behavior was investigated. In Study 1,259 boys and girls (34% African American) were followed from Grades 1 to 3 (ages 6-8 years) to Grades 5 to 7 (ages 10-12 years). Early peer rejection predicted growth in aggression. In Study 2,585 boys and girls (16% African American) were followed from kindergarten to Grade 3 (ages 5-8 years), and findings were replicated. Furthermore, early aggression moderated the effect of rejection, such that rejection exacerbated antisocial development only among children initially disposed toward aggression. In Study 3, social information-processing patterns measured in Study 1 were found to mediate partially the effect of early rejection on later aggression. In Study 4, processing patterns measured in Study 2 replicated the mediation effect. Findings are integrated into a recursive model of antisocial development.
Dodge
Kenneth A
KA
Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-90264, USA. Dodge@Duke.edu
Lansford
Jennifer E
JE
Burks
Virginia Salzer
VS
Bates
John E
JE
Pettit
Gregory S
GS
Fontaine
Reid
R
Price
Joseph M
JM
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception