title: Locus of control as a contributing factor in the relation between self-perception and adolescent aggression.
abstract: Researchers continue to debate the role of self-esteem in aggression, but research has shown a consistent association between narcissism and aggression in adults and adolescents [e.g., Barry et al., 2007; Bushman and Baumeister, 1998; Stucke, 2007]. The primary aim of the current study was to examine whether locus of control (LOC) moderated the relation between self-perception variables (i.e., self-esteem and narcissism) and aggression in adolescents. Participants were 174 youth (145 males, 26 females) between the ages of 16 and 19 who were enrolled in a voluntary residential program for youth who have dropped out of school. The results showed that LOC moderated the association between self-esteem and aggression such that low self-esteem was associated with higher levels of aggression for individuals with an external LOC. Contrary to expectations, LOC failed to moderate the narcissism-aggression relation. The implications of this study for understanding how self-perception is related to adolescent aggression are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, USA.
authors.forename: Marion T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: Virgil
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zeigler-Hill
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult