The Role of Religiosity in African American Preadolescent Aggression

Abstract

This study examined the role of parent and preadolescent religiosity in aggression among African American preadolescents with moderate to high aggression. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to determine (a) which aspects of parent and preadolescent religiosity (i.e., church attendance, private religious activities, and intrinsic religiosity) accounted for the most variance in preadolescent aggression and (b) the potential moderating role of socioeconomic status. Participants were 157 African American preadolescents (110 males, 47 females) with elevated levels of aggression and their primary caregivers. Results indicated that higher levels of parent church attendance and preadolescent intrinsic religiosity predicted lower preadolescent aggression. The relation between preadolescent private religious activities and aggression was moderated by socioeconomic status. Implications for prevention and intervention among African American preadolescents with elevated levels of aggression are discussed.