title: A multi-informant longitudinal study on the relationship between aggression, peer victimization, and dating status in adolescence.
abstract: Adolescent peer-aggression has recently been considered from the evolutionary perspective of intrasexual competition for mates. We tested the hypothesis that peer-nominated physical aggression, indirect aggression, along with self-reported bullying behaviors at Time 1 would predict Time 2 dating status (one year later), and that Time 1 peer- and self-reported peer victimization would negatively predict Time 2 dating status. Participants were 310 adolescents who were in grades 6 through 9 (ages 11-14) at Time 1.  Results showed that for both boys and girls, peer-nominated indirect aggression was predictive of dating one year later even when controlling for age, peer-rated attractiveness, and peer-perceived popularity, as well as initial dating status. For both sexes, self-reported peer victimization was negatively related to having a dating partner at Time 2. Findings are discussed within the framework of intrasexual competition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Canada.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arnocky
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vaillancourt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003380:Courtship / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires