title: Popularity differentially predicts reactive and proactive aggression in early adolescence.
abstract: Previous research has indicated that peer popularity is associated with aggressive behavior. However, it is not yet clear whether popularity is uniquely related to different functions of aggression. In this study, we examined associations between peer-perceived popularity, and reactive and proactive aggression using a cross-sectional and a longitudinal design. Yearly sociometric measures of popularity, and reactive and proactive aggression were gathered from 266 seventh and eight grade adolescents (Mage grade 7 = 12.80, SDage  = .40). Popularity was positively correlated with proactive aggression and negatively correlated with reactive aggression, both concurrently as over time. Curvilinear trends indicated that a significant minority of low versus high popular adolescents showed both functions of aggression. Somewhat stronger effects of popularity on proactive aggression were found for boys than girls. Stably popular adolescents showed the highest levels of proactive aggression, whereas stably unpopular youth showed the highest levels of reactive aggression. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
authors: Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Stoltz
authors: Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors: Antonius H N
authors: AH
authors: Cillessen
authors: Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors: Yvonne H M
authors: YH
authors: van den Berg
authors: Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Gommans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012737:Sex Factors; D012928:Social Desirability
keywords: peer status; popularity; proactive aggression; reactive aggression