Hostile attribution bias as a mediator of the relationship between psychosocial maturity and aggression

Abstract

This study examined hostile attribution bias as a mediator of the relationship between psychosocial maturity and aggression. Specifically, it was predicted that hostile attribution bias would mediated the relationship between the two responsibility constructs of identity and self-reliance, and reactive physical aggression. Using data from 56 female juvenile offenders at three post-adjudication facilities, hostile attribution bias did not mediate the relationship between the responsibility factors of identity/self-reliance and reactive physical aggression. However, results revealed a relationship between the psychosocial maturity factor of temperance and reactive physical aggression, as well as between temperance and relational hostile attribution bias.%%%%M.S., Psychology – Drexel University, 2012