Peer and Family Influences on Adolescent Anger Expression and the Acceptance of Cross-Gender Aggression

Abstract

Past research has examined the relative impact of family and peers on adolescent behavior, but very little research has examined it in relation to youth dating violence. Eight hundred and sixty-five adolescents, primarily urban Latino youth, completed self-administered surveys at school. Multivariate analyses indicated that exposure to prior family violence was not significantly associated with adolescents’ aggressive expression of anger or their acceptance of cross-gender aggression. However, current conflict—either family or peer—was associated with adolescent behavior and attitudes, with the exception that current peer conflict was not significantly associated with adolescents’ acceptance of male on female aggression. Parental monitoring and attachment were not found to be moderators of these relationships. Implications for dating violence interventions and future directions for research are explored.