Proactive Aggression Research Articles

The Impact of Media Violence, Narcissism and Sex on Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Adolescents: A One-Year Follow-Up Study.

While the impact of violent media on aggression is well established, less is known about how individual differences influence this relationship over time. This longitudinal study addresses that gap by examining whether narcissism and sex moderated the effect of violent media consumption and reactive and proactive aggression one year later. A sample of 2,284 adolescents from Cyprus (Mage = 16, SDage = 0.89, 49.5% female) participated in this study. Hierarchical regressions, controlling for baseline levels of aggression and age, revealed distinct patterns: violent media and sex predicted reactive aggression, but narcissism did not. In contrast, violent media, sex, and narcissism all predicted proactive aggression. Notably, sex moderated the link between violent media and reactive aggression, with females showing a steeper increase than males. Both sex and narcissism moderated the violent media-proactive aggression association, with males being affected regardless of narcissism, while only highly narcissistic females showed an increase in proactive aggression. These findings show the importance of considering individual differences, such as sex and narcissism, to better understand how violent media influences different functions of aggression.

MỐI QUAN HỆ GIỮA HÀNH VI GÂY HẤN VÀ KĨ NĂNG TỰ CHỦ CẢM XÚC Ở HỌC SINH TRUNG HỌC CƠ SỞ

The goal of this paper was to explore the relationship between aggressive behavior and emotional self-control skills in middle school students, along with examining the current status of reactive and proactive aggression and emotional self-control skills in students. A total of 1,235 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in Hanoi, Nghe An, and Ho Chi Minh city participated in the study by answering a set of questions including the Proactive and Reactive Aggression Questionnaire (PRQ, Raine et al., 2006); Aggression Scale (AS - Aggression Scale, Orpinas and Frankowski, 2001); The Basic Empathy Scale (BES, Jolliffe et al., 2006) and emotional self-control skills scale. Research results from this quantitative research illustrated that middle school students demonstrate aggressive behavior at an average level, mainly occasionally performing this behavior but the proportion of secondary students regularly performing aggressive behavior was quite high. There was a negative correlation between aggressive behavior and emotional self-control skills in students; emotional self-control skills and empathy were predictors of aggressive behavior. The analysis, interpretation of results, as well as limitations of the current study, were also discussed in the discussion section of this paper.

Do Symptoms of Depression Moderate the Links Between Reactive and Proactive Aggression and Frequency of Substance Use?

Youth substance use continues to be a public health concern, with both aggressive behavior and symptoms of depression commonly identified as risk factors for adolescent substance use. However, more research is needed to understand how proactive and reactive functions of aggression are uniquely associated with the frequency of use of specific substances and how these functions of aggression interact with symptoms of depression to contribute to substance use. To this end, the current study examined these associations in a sample of detained youth (N = 229; 80.7% Male). Results suggested that reactive aggression is uniquely associated with traditional cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, while proactive aggression is uniquely associated with prescription drug use. Further, although symptoms of depression did not uniquely contribute to the frequency of substance use, symptoms of depression moderate links between proactive aggression and frequency of traditional cigarette, alcohol, and prescription drug use such that proactive aggression is associated with increased frequency of use only when symptoms of depression are low. Findings suggest the need to consider functions of aggression when identifying risk for frequent substance use, as there may be distinct targets of intervention depending on the function of aggression.

The role of changes in peer victimization from elementary to high school and autonomic reactivity on adolescent reactive aggression.

The goals of the present study were to investigate links between changes in peer victimization from elementary to high school and adolescent reactive aggression (Goal 1), whether heightened autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity to social and nonsocial stress increases risk for adolescent reactive aggression (Goal 2), and whether increased ANS reactivity strengthens the association between changes in victimization and adolescent reactive aggression (Goal 3). Participants included 145 adolescents (Mage = 16; 54% female; 76% European American, 13% African American, 11% Latino American, 7% Asian American, 5% of mixed race or ethnicity; 60% with family incomes of $100,000 or greater). We collected self-report data in elementary (Time 1 [T1]); (Time 2 [T2]); middle (Time 3 [T3]); and high school (Time 4 [T4]) to assess victimization. At T4, we measured self-reported reactive and proactive aggression, and ANS reactivity (preejection period [PEP], respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) to peer rejection and nonsocial frustration. More positive victimization slope over time (meaning both less decreasing slopes and increasing slopes) predicted greater adolescent reactive, but not proactive aggression (Goal 1). Greater RSA augmentation to peer rejection and more PEP reactivity to nonsocial frustration predicted more reactive, but not proactive aggression (Goal 2). The link between victimization slope and reactive aggression emerged only for adolescents exhibiting RSA augmentation to peer rejection (marginal; Goal 3). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Unveiling Global Trends in Reactive and Proactive Aggression: A Cutting-Edge Bibliometric Analysis

This bibliometric mapping discusses the research landscape of proactive and reactive aggression, key authors, collaborative networks, and trends in scholarly publishing for the past two decades. The study, using tools like VOSviewer, shows important patterns in co-authorship, citation networks, and keyword co-occurrence. The leading personalities include Adrian Raine, Paula J. Fite, Richard E. Tremblay, and Paul J. Frick. Heavy contributors to the knowledge about aggression from biological, psychological, and developmental perspectives are identified. Co-authorship is intense, especially on topics dealing with neuro-criminology, childhood and adolescent behavior, and the role of psychopathy in violent behavior. The analysis shows that from the year 2009, the publication of works has grown rapidly to their peak in the year 2022, reflecting an upward spiral of interest and interdisciplinary research on aggression. Dominant keywords like "aggression," "reactive," "proactive," "psychopathy," and "conduct disorder" point to the core themes of research on emotional regulation, developmental trajectories, and clinical interventions. This review has come to a close that studies in the field of aggression have now developed into a multi-disciplinary science, embracing neuroscience, psychology, criminology, and social science knowledge to further advance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of aggressive behavior and develop various treatments. Future research will have to go on filling in areas of investigation that are underrepresented, including but not limited to aggression at the interface with particular demographic variables and newer approaches to intervention.

Forgiveness, Moral Disengagement, and Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Young Social Activists in Hong Kong

Social movements may bring positive social changes. However, escalated levels of violence and delinquency in some campaigns caused public concerns about infringing personal rights and destroying public property. In modern societies, we encourage mutual respect, peace, and appropriate conflict resolutions and avoid the use of aggression across situations. This cross-sectional study examined forgiveness, moral disengagement, and reactive and proactive aggression among different types of young social activists in Hong Kong. Findings would provide insights into intervention strategies for reducing aggressive behaviors in young people and helping them restore their quality of life. Our participants were 1046 local secondary school and tertiary students (583 males and 463 females) aged 12 to 25 years (M = 16.95, SD = 3.29). They completed a questionnaire about their participation in local campaigns, with psychological measures of forgiveness, moral disengagement, and aggression. The respondents were then divided into three categories: non-activists (NA), moderate activists (MA), and activists with delinquent/violent action (ADA). ANOVAs were used to examine the differences between these three types of social activists. Results indicated that ADA reported using more reactive and proactive aggression than NA, and MA reported using more reactive but not proactive aggression than NA. ADA had significantly higher levels of moral disengagement overall than NA and MA. Regarding forgiveness, both ADA and MA had significantly lower levels of absence of negative than NA. Implications for psychotherapy, education, and social policies will be discussed.

Psychometric properties of Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) in Spanish adolescents

BackgroundSelf-compassion, individual's ability to treat oneself kindly, is important for mental well-being. The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) is the most used instrument to measure self-compassion, but the short form does not have validity evidence in adolescents. MethodsWe examined the psychometric properties of the SCS-SF (12 items) in 955 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 13.95) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and reliability tests. The life satisfaction, family satisfaction, and reactive-proactive aggression were used for convergent validity. ResultsCronbach's alpha reliability value for the total scale was .723. CFA confirmed that the six-factor model showed good fit indices with three positive dimensions: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness; and three negative components: self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification (χ2 = 114.730; CFI = .966; GFI = .98; RMSEA = .045). The bifactorial model also showed an adequate fit, although with weaker values than the six-factor (ꭓ2 = 247.108; CFI = .914; GFI = .95; RMSEA = .06). The unifactorial model showed an inadequate fit. Total SCS score correlated positively with family satisfaction (r = .43; p < .001) and life satisfaction (r = .48; p < .001) and negatively with reactive aggressiveness (r = −.27; p < .001) and with proactive aggressiveness (r = −.18; p < .001). Self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness were associated with higher family and life satisfaction (p < .001) Self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification were associated with lower family and life satisfaction (p < .001). Self-judgment and isolation positively correlated with both reactive and proactive aggression (p < .001), while mindfulness negatively correlated with both reactive and proactive aggression (p < .01). ConclusionThe SCS-SF is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing self-compassion in Spanish adolescents. Results suggest the six-factor model in its first validation in an adolescent population with convergent validity. The findings of this study corroborate the significance of self-compassion for the mental health of adolescents, particularly in relation to their family and life satisfaction.

Violent attitudes in Portugal and Canada: Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the Evaluation of Violence Questionnaire.

Theory and evidence suggest that attitudes toward violence are relevant for the explanation, prediction, and reduction of violent behavior. The purpose of the present study was to adapt a measure of violent attitudes-the Evaluation of Violence Questionnaire (EVQ)-for use in Portugal, test the cross-country equivalence, and test the validity of both versions. We found the expected one-factor structure, high internal consistency, and cross-country measurement invariance for the Portuguese and original EVQ with men in Portugal (N = 320) and Canada (N = 298). We also found the expected pattern of correlations with measures of more versus less theoretically relevant constructs: both versions of the EVQ showed the strongest correlations with overall aggression and reactive aggression; slightly lower correlations with proactive aggression; negative correlations with self-control; and the smallest correlations with self-esteem. Our results support the equivalence, reliability, and validity of the Portuguese and original versions of the EVQ.

Low neurocognitive performance and problematic contexts: interaction influences in predicting adolescent externalizing behaviors within a community sample

ABSTRACT Research has identified neurocognitive and contextual risk factors of externalizing behaviors. However, fewer studies have examined the interaction among neurocognitive and other risk factors in predicting externalizing behaviors. The goal of the current study was to examine the relation between neurocognitive and contextual factors in predicting externalizing behaviors in a community sample of adolescents. Participants were 84 adolescents, aged 11–17 (M = 13.39, SD = 1.82), recruited as part of a larger study. Separate moderated multiple regression models were utilized in which neurocognitive variables (intellectual functioning, short-term memory/attention, disinhibition) were added as predictors and contextual variables (family dysfunction and parental depression, anxiety, and stress) were added as moderators in step 1, and their interaction was added in step 2. Externalizing behaviors served as criterion variables (hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant disorder symptom severity, reactive and proactive aggression). Overall, results suggest that higher levels of problematic contextual factors exacerbate the significant negative associations among neurocognitive functioning and externalizing behaviors. Importantly, this pattern was shown across neurocognitive domains and contextual factors. Findings suggest that contextual factors should be targeted for the treatment or prevention of youth externalizing behaviors, particularly for adolescents with neurocognitive vulnerabilities.

Empowering Through Sports: Breaking the Cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Aggressive Behavior

ABSTRACT This study investigated the moderating role of sports participation types (no sport, individual sport, and team sport) on the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and reactive and proactive aggression in 593 individuals (69.0% females) from the community. ACEs positively influenced both types of aggression, with a stronger effect on reactive aggression. Additionally, participating in team sports (versus no sports) weakened the ACE-proactive aggression link, while participation in individual sports (versus no sports) did not moderate the association between ACEs and both types of aggression. The findings suggest that team sports may provide a protective factor against certain aggression tendencies linked to ACEs, emphasizing the nuanced impact of sports involvement on psychological outcomes among individuals in the community.

Revealing the Mechanisms That Contribute to Anger Expression Proneness in Patients with Brain Damage: The Importance of Executive Dysfunctions and Alexithymia

Background: The ability of scientists and clinicians to detect the therapeutic needs of patients with brain damage has increased in recent years. In this sense, many studies have signaled that individuals tend to experience an increase in irritability after suffering brain damage, with some patients even showing sudden aggressive outbursts. This increase in anger expression in these patients could be explained by executive functioning alterations (or executive dysfunctions), given their role in goal-oriented behaviors, along with emotional dysregulations such as alexithymia (e.g., difficulties recognizing and verbalizing feelings) and anger rumination (e.g., tendency to recall thoughts regarding experiences of frustration or anger). Therefore, it is essential to understand the mechanisms that contribute to and/or facilitate anger expression in patients with brain damage. Methods: In this regard, the main objective of this study is to assess whether executive dysfunctions (assessed with the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale) would explain anger expression (measured with the Reactive and Proactive Aggression Questionnaire) in patients with brain damage (n = 23; mean age: 56.61 ± 10.68; 57% men) compared to controls (n = 24; mean age: 60.96 ± 9.25; 33% men), paying special attention to potential moderators of this association such as alexithymia (analyzed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20) and anger rumination (assessed with the Anger Rumination Scale). Results: The results of the current investigation led us to conclude that anger expression in patients with brain damage was partly explained by executive dysfunction, especially in those patients who scored high in alexithymia. This model was not significant among controls. Conclusions: Thus, we highlight the importance of targeting certain psychological alterations, such as alexithymia, when implementing psychotherapeutic programs as an adjuvant to cognitive training focused on cognitive deficits (e.g., executive dysfunctions). This, in turn, would support the full recovery of individuals who have experienced brain damage.

Why does a grateful mind prevent an aggressive hand? Perspective taking mediated the relation between gratitude and two types of aggression among individuals in the general population and prisoners

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that gratitude can reduce aggression via enhanced empathy. However, further research is needed to distinguish different subtypes of empathy and aggression, and to evaluate the relationship among highly aggressive individuals. The current study investigated the roles of two subtypes of empathy (perspective taking and empathic concern) in the relationship between gratitude and two subtypes of aggression (reactive and proactive aggressions) among general population (N = 363, Study 1) and male prisoners (N = 241, Study 2). In both studies, parallel mediational analyses supported that perspective taking, rather than empathic concern, plays a critical role in correlating gratitude with two subtypes of aggression. This effect was more significant in prisoners than in the community population. These findings enhance the understanding of the underlying mechanism linking gratitude to aggression and imply a new promising target for gratitude-based interventions to reduce aggression in prisoners.

Approach-avoidance tendencies in proactive and reactive aggression.

Aggressive behaviors have been related to approach/avoidance tendencies. In our current study, we investigated whether approach/avoidance tendencies for angry versus fearful emotional expressions were differentially predictive of children's reactive and proactive aggression. A total of 116 children (58 girls, Mage = 10.90, standard deviation SDage = 0.98) completed an approach/avoidance task (AAT) and a stimulus-response compatibility task (SRCT), both measuring the extent to which they tended to approach or avoid angry and fearful facial expressions relative to neutral facial expressions. Children also completed a self-report scale of reactive and proactive aggression. Although none of the approach/avoidance tendency scores correlated significantly with either of the aggression scores, stronger approach tendencies for angry faces and stronger avoidance tendencies for fearful faces in the AAT predicted more reactive aggression. Similar yet nonsignificant results were found for proactive aggression, but no effects were replicated in the SRCT. Our results thus invite the conclusion that reactive aggression is characterized by a tendency to approach angry faces and a tendency to avoid fearful faces. However, the poor discrimination between both types of aggression as well as the lack of convergence between the results of our two measures of approach/avoidance tendencies indicates that further research is needed to establish the role of approach/avoidance tendencies for emotional faces as markers for childhood aggression.

Using Machine Learning to Determine a Functional Classifier of Retaliation and Its Association With Aggression

ObjectiveMethods to determine integrity of integrated neural systems engaged in functional processes have proven elusive. This study sought to determine the extent to which: (i) a machine learning retaliation classifier (retaliation vs. unfair offer) developed from a sample of typically developing (TD) adolescents could be applied to an independent sample of clinically concerning (CC) youth; and (ii) the classifier-determined functional integrity for retaliation was associated with antisocial behavior, proactive and reactive aggression. MethodBOLD response data were collected from 82 TD and 120 CC adolescents whilst they performed a retaliation task. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm was applied on the TD sample and tested on the CC sample (adolescents with externalizing and internalizing diagnoses). ResultsThe SVM was able to distinguish the offer from the retaliation phase after training in the TD sample (accuracy=92.48%, sensitivity=89.47% and specificity=93.18%) that was comparably successful in distinguishing function in the test sample. Increasing retaliation distance from the hyperplane was associated with decreasing conduct problems and proactive aggression. ConclusionsThe current study provides preliminary data of the importance of a retaliation endophenotype whose functional integrity is associated with reported levels of conduct problems and proactive aggression.

Neural basis of reward expectancy inducing proactive aggression.

Proactive aggression refers to deliberate and unprovoked behavior, typically motivated by personal gain or expected reward. Reward expectancy is generally recognized as a critical factor that may influence proactive aggression, but its neural mechanisms remain unknown. We conducted a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment to investigate the relationship between reward expectancy and proactive aggression. 37 participants (20 females, mean age = 20.8 ± 1.42, age range = 18-23 years) completed a reward-harm task. In the experiment, reward valence expectancy and reward possibility expectancy were manipulated respectively by varying amounts (low: 0.5-1.5 yuan; high: 10.5-11.5 yuan) and possibilities (low: 10%-30%; high: 70%-90%) of money that participants could obtain by choosing to aggress. Participants received fMRI scans throughout the experiment. Brain activation regions associated with reward expectancy mainly involve the middle frontal gyrus, lingual gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, anterior cuneus, caudate nucleus, inferior frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, anterior central gyrus, and posterior central gyrus. Associations between brain activation and reward expectancy in the left insula, left middle frontal gyrus, left thalamus, and right middle frontal gyrus were found to be related to proactive aggression. Furthermore, the brain activation regions primarily involved in proactive aggression induced by reward expectancy were the insula, inferior frontal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, pallidum, and caudate nucleus. Under conditions of high reward expectancy, participants engage in more proactive aggressive behavior. Reward expectancy involves the activation of reward- and social-cognition-related brain regions, and these associations are instrumental in proactive aggressive decisions.

84. Impairment in Emotion Recognition and Their Association With Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Children

84. Impairment in Emotion Recognition and Their Association With Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Children

The impact of artistic and sporting activities on children's levels of digital addiction, aggression, and psychological resilience

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of engaging in artistic and sporting activities on children's levels of digital addiction, aggression, and psychological resilience. Material and methodThis cross-sectional study encompasses children aged 11–12 who are regularly engaged and not engaged in artistic or sporting education. The study involved 623 children. Data collection utilized the “Digital Addiction Scale,” “Child and Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale,” and “Reactive and Proactive Aggression Scale.” ResultsThe study found statistically significant effects of engaging in sporting and artistic activities on digital addiction, psychological resilience, and reactive aggression (p < 0.05). Compared to the group with no activity, children engaged in artistic activities scored −4.38 units lower on the digital addiction scale, while those engaged in sports scored −4.23 units lower. Similarly, compared to the group with no activity, children engaged in artistic activities scored 3.32 units higher on the psychological resilience scale, and those engaged in sports scored 3.30 units higher. As children's psychological resilience scores increased, their scores for digital addiction and aggression decreased. Conclusion and recommendationsParticipation in such activities can help children acquire healthy coping skills, strengthen their emotional regulation abilities, and reduce problems associated with anger. Therefore, encouraging children to engage in these activities is crucial for contributing to their overall well-being and promoting a balanced lifestyle. Implications for nursing practiceNurses can educate families about the importance of sports and artistic activities for the healthy development of children. Moreover, diversifying the activities offered to children in schools and youth centers and encouraging these activities can help promote healthy lifestyles and reduce digital addiction.

The long-term effectiveness of a personality-targeted substance use prevention program on aggression from adolescence to early adulthood.

Addressing aggressive behavior in adolescence is a key step toward preventing violence and associated social and economic costs in adulthood. This study examined the secondary effects of the personality-targeted substance use preventive program Preventure on aggressive behavior from ages 13 to 20. In total, 339 young people from nine independent schools (M age = 13.03 years, s.d. = 0.47, range = 12-15) who rated highly on one of the four personality traits associated with increased substance use and other emotional/behavioral symptoms (i.e. impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity, sensation seeking, and negative thinking) were included in the analyses (n = 145 in Preventure, n = 194 in control). Self-report assessments were administered at baseline and follow-up (6 months, 1, 2, 3, 5.5, and 7 years). Overall aggression and subtypes of aggressive behaviors (proactive, reactive) were examined using multilevel mixed-effects analysis accounting for school-level clustering. Across the 7-year follow-up period, the average yearly reduction in the frequency of aggressive behaviors (b = -0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.64 to -0.20; p < 0.001), reactive aggression (b = -0.22; 95% CI 0.35 to -0.10; p = 0.001), and proactive aggression (b = -0.14; 95% CI -0.23 to -0.05; p = 0.002) was greater for the Preventure group compared to the control group. The study suggests a brief personality-targeted intervention may have long-term impacts on aggression among young people; however, this interpretation is limited by imbalance of sex ratios between study groups.

Cortical volume alterations in the limbic network in adolescents with high reactive aggression.

Previous studies show aggression-related structural alterations in frontal and limbic brain regions. Most studies have focused on overall aggression, instead of its subtypes, and on specific regions instead of networks. This study aims to identify both brain networks and regions that are associated with reactive and proactive subtypes of aggression. Structural MRI data were collected from 340 adolescents (125 F/215 M) with a mean age of 16.29 (SD = 1.20). Aggression symptomology was indexed via the Reactive Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ). Freesurfer was used to estimate Cortical Volume (CV) from seven networks and regions within specific networks associated with aggression. Two multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) were conducted on groups for low versus higher reactive and proactive RPQ scores. Our reactive aggression MANCOVA showed a main effect in CV [F(14,321) = 1.935, p = 0.022,ηp2 = 0.078] across all the 7-Networks. Unpacking this main effect revealed significant volumetric differences in the right Limbic Network (LN) (p = 0.029) and the Temporal Pole (p = 0.011), where adolescents in the higher reactive aggression group showed higher cortical volumes. Such findings are consistent with region/voxel-specific analyses that have associated atypical structure within the LN and reactive aggression. Moreover, the temporal pole is highly interconnected with regions important in the regulation and initiation of reactive aggression.

The Interplay between Fear Reactivity and Callous-Unemotional Traits Predicting Reactive and Proactive Aggression.

Research has indicated that youths with CU traits are fearless, and this fearlessness plays a bidirectional role in both the development of CU traits and engagement in aggressive behavior. However, research specifically testing the role of fear in the association between CU traits and aggression is scarce. The goal of the current study was to test if fear reactivity, both conscious (self-report) and automatic (skin conductance reactivity; SCR), moderated the association between CU traits and aggression subtypes (reactive and proactive aggression). Participants included 161 adolescents (Mage = 15 years) diagnosed with conduct disorder. CU traits were assessed using the self-report Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits. Conscious and automatic fear reactivity were measured during a virtual reality rollercoaster using the Self-Assessment Manikin and skin conductance reactivity (SCR), respectively. Hierarchical regressions found that high fear reactivity on SCR moderated the link between CU traits and reactive aggression, while feeling more excited during fear induction moderated the link between CU traits and proactive aggression. Overall, a possible explanation of our divergent findings between conscious and automatic fear may be the difference between the instinctual biological response to threat versus the cognitive and emotional appraisal and experience of threat. Implications for intervention strategies targeting emotional recognition and regulation in reducing aggression in CD populations are discussed.