Trust Reduces Social Aggression

Trust and Social Aggression Co‐Development and the Longitudinal Relationship Among College Students

Bibliographic Data

ID21444393
AuthorsYuchuan Yang (0000-0002-4732-6986, Liaoning Normal University), Yu‐Chuan Yang (School of Psychology Liaoning Normal University Dalian China), An‐Qi Sun (0000-0002-5724-1783, Department of Psychology Renmin University of China Beijing China), Y Dong (0000-0003-3553-1488, Department of Psychology Renmin University of China Beijing China, corresponding author), Ling‐xiang Xia (0000-0003-4024-5312, Research Center of Psychology and Social Development Southwest University Chongqing China, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume97
Issue8
Pages2136-2146
Publication date2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0140-1971 • E-ISSN: 1095-9254
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jad.70026
PMID40771042
OpenAlexW4413036973
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited74

INTRODUCTION: In the Chinese cultural context, which emphasizes the harmony of interpersonal relationships, social aggression, as a behavior that destroys others' social relationships, may cause greater harm to the victim. However, the longitudinal relationship between social aggression and protective factors (i.e., trust) has not been explored in depth. This study used a longitudinal follow-up design to investigate the effects of college students' trust on the trajectory of change in social aggression and the longitudinal relationship between them. METHODS: = 18.46 years; age range: 16-24.67 years) in six universities spanning five Chinese regions (Beijing, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Chongqing). Assessments employed self-reported measures of general trust, social aggression, and trait hostility. The initial cohort of 1390 participants yielded 1148 complete responses through six waves of data collection at 6-month intervals. RESULT: The results showed that general trust could slow down the growth trend of social aggression. Moreover, the higher the general trust of college students, the lower their level of social aggression, and vice versa. CONCLUSION: High trust among college students can reduce both the level and growth rate of social aggression. Trust in college students is an important protective factor against social aggression and should be incorporated into intervention practices for social aggression.

Aggression · Developmental psychology · Hostility · Interpersonal relationship · Longitudinal study · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Workplace Violence and Bullying

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