Multi‐level risk factors and developmental assets associated with aggressive behavior in disadvantaged adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID11106932
AuthorsPaul R Smokowski (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work North Carolina Academic Center for Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention Chapel Hill North Carolina, corresponding author), Shenyang Guo (0000-0003-3643-6415, Washington University George Warren Brown School of Social Work St. Louis Missouri), Katie L Cotter (Arizona State University School of Social Work Tucson Arizona), Caroline B R Evans (0000-0003-1766-2476, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work North Carolina Academic Center for Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention Chapel Hill North Carolina), Randall A Rose (0000-0001-5309-4547, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work North Carolina Academic Center for Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention Chapel Hill North Carolina), Roderick A Rose
Year2016
Volume42
Issue3
Pages222-238
Publication date2016-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAggressive Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0096-140X • E-ISSN: 1098-2337
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ab.21612
PMID26349636
OpenAlexW2100476317
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited116

The current study examined multilevel risk factors and developmental assets on longitudinal trajectories of aggressive behavior in a diverse sample of rural adolescents. Using ecological and social capital theories, we explored the impact of positive and negative proximal processes, social capital, and contextual characteristics (i.e., school and neighborhood) on adolescent aggression. Data came from the Rural Adaptation Project, which is a 5-year longitudinal panel study of more than 4,000 middle and high school students from 40 public schools in two rural, low income counties in North Carolina. A three-level HLM model (N = 4,056 at Wave 1, 4,251 at Wave 2, and 4,256 at Wave 3) was estimated to predict factors affecting the change trajectories of aggression. Results indicated that negative proximal processes in the form of parent-adolescent conflict, friend rejection, peer pressure, delinquent friends, and school hassles were significant predictors of aggression. In addition, social capital in the form of ethnic identity, religious orientation, and school satisfaction served as buffers against aggression. Negative proximal processes were more salient predictors than positive proximal processes. School and neighborhood characteristics had a minimal impact on aggression. Overall, rates of aggression did not change significantly over the 3-year study window. Findings highlight the need to intervene in order to decrease negative interactions in the peer and parent domains

Developmental psychology · Disadvantaged · Economics · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology · Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth