title: Popularity and Resource Control Goals as Predictors of Adolescent Indirect Aggression.
abstract: Resource Control Theory conceptualizes aggression as a behavior that allows access to, and control of, limited resources (P. H. Hawley, 1999 ). This study investigated the associations of adolescents' indirect aggression with their resource control goals, or goals related to controlling social resources such as dating opportunities and peer status, and with their levels of popularity and social intelligence. Participants were 109 seventh-graders (52% girls) who completed a resource control goals measure, the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale, and peer nominations of popularity and indirect aggression. Results indicated positive associations between resource control goals and peer-nominated indirect aggression, with popularity further moderating these associations. These findings suggest that the resource control goals of adolescents can be a motivating force to engage in hurtful behaviors. They provide a context from which peer relations researchers can improve their understanding and prevention of adolescents' indirect aggression.
authors.affiliation: a University of Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Karmon D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Dyches
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mayeux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012928:Social Desirability
keywords: indirect aggression; popularity; social goals