Aggression, Social Acceptance, and Race as Predictors of Negative Adolescent Outcomes

Abstract

The current study examined a mixed-race, longitudinal sample of 114 boys to assess the relative power of aggression, low peer acceptance, and race in predicting a broad range of adolescent outcomes and behaviors. Outcomes were assessed through self-report and through peer, teacher, and independent observer ratings. Results indicate that preadolescent levels of aggression are predictive of boys' subsequent adolescent involvement in marijuana, drugs, and alcohol and in delinquent activity. Aggression and low peer acceptance served as predictors of teacher, peer, and independent observer ratings of externalizing and internalizing behavior at follow-up. Results also indicate that peer ratings of social acceptance and of aggressive behavior operate differently across racial groups, when predicting to self-reported follow-up behaviors. Aggressive and socially disliked boys are at risk for engaging in a progressive series of behaviors that increase their engagement in contranormative behavior. The moderating effects of race may be due to biases in elementary school peer ratings in mixed-race samples, or they may represent actual differences in how early risk markers operate with boys of different racial status.