Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Digital Game Playing and Direct and Indirect Aggression in Early Adolescence: The Roles of Age, Social Intelligence, and Parent-Child Communication

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The roles of age, social intelligence and parent-child communication in moderating the association between digital game playing and direct and indirect aggression were examined in 478 Finnish 10- and 13-year-old schoolchildren based on self-reports. The results confirmed that digital game violence was directly associated with direct aggression, especially at age 10, but only among boys. The moderating role of social intelligence was substantiated among older boys: game violence was associated with indirect aggression among those with high level of social intelligence. Further, as hypothesized, digital game playing was associated with direct aggression especially when parent-child communication was poor, but only among boys. Our findings emphasize the importance of individual and situational factors as moderators of the link between game violence and aggression.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aiken LS, West SG (1991) Multiple regression: testing and interpreting interactions. Sage, Newsbury Park

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson CA (2004) An update on the effects of playing violent video games. J Adolescence 27:113–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson CA, Bushman BJ (2001) Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: a meta-analytic review of the scientific literature. Psychol Sci 12:353–359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson CA, Bushman BJ (2002) Human aggression. Annual Rev Psychol 53:27–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson CA, Dill KE (2000) Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and life. J Pers Soc Psychol 78:772–790

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson DR, Field DE, Collins PA, Lord EP, Nathan JG (1985) Estimates of young children’s time with television: a methodological comparison of parent reports with time-lapse home observation. Child Develop 56:1345–1357

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Archer J, Coyne SM (2005) An integrated review of indirect, relational, and social aggression. Pers Soc Psychol Rev 9(3):212–230

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes HL, Olson DH (1995) Parent-adolescent communication. In: Olson DH, McCubbin HI, Barnes HL, Larsen A, Muxen M, Wilson M (eds) Family inventories 3rd ed. University of Minnesota, St. Paul

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron RM, Kenny DA (1986) The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Pers Soc Psychol 51(6):1173–1182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholow BD, Bushman BJ, Sestir MA (2006) Chronic violent video game exposure and desensitization to violence: behavioral and event-related brain potential data. J Exp Soc Psychol 42:532–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björkqvist K, Lagerspetz K, Kaukiainen A (1992a) Do girls manipulate and and boys fight? Developmental trends in regard to direct and indirect aggression. Aggress Behav 18:117–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Björkqvist K, Lagerspetz K, Österman K (1998) Direct-indirect aggression scales (DIAS). In: Björkqvist K, Österman K (eds) Scales for research on interpersonal relations. Pro Faculte No 4. Social and Caring Sciences: Publishing House of Åbo Akademi University

  • Björkqvist K, Osterman K, Kaukiainen A (1992b) The development of direct and indirect aggressive strategies in males and females. In: Björkqvist K, Niemela P (eds) Of mice and women: aspects of female aggression. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, pp 51–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Borum R (2000) Assessing violence risk among youth. J Clin Psychol 56(10):1263–1288

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradbury TN, Fincham FD (1990) Inventory of parent-adolescent communication. In: Touliatos J, Perlmutter BF, Straus MA (eds) Handbook of family measurement techniques. Sage Publications, Newsbury Park, pp 63–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne KD, Hamilton-Giachritsis C (2005) The influence of violen media on children and adolescents: a public-health approach. Lancet 365:702–710

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brownlee S (1999) Inside the teen brain. http://www.usnews.com/ usnews/culture/articles/990809/archive_001644_6.htm Retrieved 20.9.2005

  • Burks VS, Laird RD, Dodge KA, Pettit GS, Bates JE (1999) Knowledge structures, social information processing, and children’s aggressive behavior. Soc Develop 8(2):220–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bushman BJ, Anderson CA (2002) Violent video games and hostile expectations: a test of the general aggression model. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 12:367–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Bushman BJ, Huesman R (2006) Short-term and long-term effects of violent media on aggression in children and adults. Arcives Pediatr Adolescent Med 160:348–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen E (2004) Why socioeconomic status affects the health of children. Curr Dir Psychol Sci 13(3):112–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen E, Langer DA, Raphaelson YE, Matthews KA (2004) Socioeconomic status and health in adolescents: the role of stress interpretations. Child Dev 75(4):1039–1052

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Christakis DA, Ebel BE, Rivara FP, Zimmerman FJ (2004) Television, video, and computer game usage in children under 11 years of age. J Pediatr 145(1):652–656

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colwell J, Payne J (2000) Negative correlates of computer game play in adolescents. Bri J Psychol 91:295–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coyne SM, Archer J (2005) The relationship between indirect and physical aggression on television and in real life. Soc Dev 14(2):324–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coyne SM, Archer J, Eslea M (2004) Cruel intentions on television and in real life: can viewing indirect aggression increase viewers’ subsequent indirect aggression? J Exp Child Psychol 88:234–253

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garandeau CF, Cillessen AHN (in press) From indirect aggression to invisible aggression: a conceptual view on bullying and peer group manipulation. Aggression and Violent Behavior

  • Gentile DA, Lynch PJ, Linder JR, Walsh DA (2004) The effects of violent video game habits on adolescent hostility, aggressive behaviors, and school performance. J Adolescence 27:5–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentile DA, Walsh DA (2002) A normative study of family media habits. J Appl Dev Psychol 23:157–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giedd J (2002) Frontline interview: inside the teenage brain. Retrieved 20.9., 2005

  • Greenberg BS, Eastin MS, Skalski P, Cooper L, Levy M, Lachlan K (2005) Comparing survey and diary measures of internet and traditional media use. Communication Reports 18(1):1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grodal T (2000) Video games and the pleasures of control. In: Zillman D, Vorderer P (eds) Media entertainment: the psychology of its appeal. Erlbaum, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman KD (1995) Effects of playing versus witnessing video game violence on attitudes toward aggression and acceptance of violence as a means of conflict resolution. Dissert Abs Int Sect A: Hum Soc Sci 56(3–A):0747

    Google Scholar 

  • Huesmann RL, Moise-Titus J, Podolski C-L, Eron LD (2003) Longitudinal relations between children’s exposure to tv violence and their aggressive and violent behavior in young adulthood: 1977–1992. Dev Psychol 39(2):201–221

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaukiainen A, Björkqvist K, Lagerspetz K, Österman K, Salmivalli C, Rothberg S, Ahlbom A (1999) The relationship between social intelligence, empathy, and three types of aggression. Aggress Behav 25:81–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaukiainen A, Björkqvist K, Österman K, Lagerspetz K, Forsblom S (1998) Peer-estimated social intelligence (PESI). In: Björkqvist K, Österman K (eds) Scales for research on interpersonal relations. Pro Faculte No 4. Social and Caring Sciences: Publishing House of Åbo Akademy Uiversity

  • Kirsh SJ (2003) The effects of violent video games on adolescents. The overlooked influence of development. Aggession Violent Behav 8:377–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krahe B, Möller I (2004) Playing violent electronic games, hostile attributional style, and aggression-related norms in german adolescents. J Adolescence 27:53–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krcmar M (1998) The contribution of family communication patterns to children’s interpretations of television violence. J Broadcasting Electron Media 42(2):250–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuntsche EN (2004) Hostility among adolescents in switzerland? Multivariate relations between excessive media use and forms of violence. J Adolescent Health 34:230–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagerspetz K, Björkqvist K, Peltonen T (1988) Is indirect aggression typical for girls? Gender differences in aggressiveness in 11- to 12-year-old children. Aggress Behav 14:403–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert SF, Cashwell CS (2004) Preteens talking to parents: perceived communicaton and school-based aggression. Fam J 12(2):122–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindeman M, Harakka T, Keltikangas-Järvinen L (1997) Age and gender differences in adolescents’ reactions to conflict situations: aggression, prosociality, and withdrawal. J Youth Adolescence 26(3):339–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay JJ, Anderson CA (2000) From antecedent conditions to violent actions: a general affective aggression model. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 26:533–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber R, Stouthamer-Loeber M (1998) Development of juvenile aggression and violence: some common misconceptions and controversies. Am Psychol 53:242–259

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacBrayer EK, Milich R, Hundley M (2003) Attributional biases in aggressive children and their mother. J Abnorm Psychol 112(4):698–708

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moretti MM, Holland R, McKay S (2001) Self-other representations and relational and overt aggression in adolescent girls and boys. Behav Sci Law 19:109–126

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray JP, Liotti M, Ingmundson PT, Mayberg HS, Yonglin P, Zamarripa F, Yijun L, Woldorff MG, Jia-Hong G, Fox PT (2006) Children’s brain activation while viewing televised violence revealed by fmri. Media Psychol 8(1):25–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunnaly JC (1978) Psychometric theory. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Peets K, Kikas E (2006) Aggressive strategies and victimization during adolescence: grade and gender differences, and cross-infomant agreement. Aggress Behav 32:68–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Punamäki R-L, Wallenius M, Nygård C-H, Saarni L, Rimpelä A (in press) Information and communication technology (ICT) and adolescents’ perceived health: the role of sleeping habits and daytime tiredness. J Adolescence

  • Roberts DF (2000) Media and youth: access, exposure and privatization. J Adolescent Health 27(1):8–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmivalli C, Kaukiainen A (2004) ‘female aggression’ revised: variable- and person-centered approaches to studying gender differences in different types of aggression. Aggress Behav 30:158–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmivalli C, Kaukiainen A, Lagerspetz K (2000) Aggression and sociometric status among peers: do gender and type of aggression matter? Scand J Psychol 41:17–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salonius-Pasternak DE (2005) The next level of research on electronic play. Potential benefits and contextual influences for children and adolescents, Human Technology, vol 1, pp 5–22: www.humantechnology.jyu.fi

  • Sherry J (2001) The effect of violent video games on aggression: a meta-analysis. Hum Commun Res 27:409–431

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer J, Singer DG (1985) Television-viewing and family communication style as predictors of children’s emotional behavior. J Child Contem Soc 17(4):75–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer J, Singer DG, Desmonen R, Hirsch B, Nicol A (1988) Family mediation and children’s cognition, aggression, and comprehension of television: a longitudinal study. J Appl Dev Psychol 9(3):329–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slater MD, Henry KL, Swain RC, Andersson LL (2003) Violent media content and aggressiveness in adolescents. A downward spiral model. Commuication Res 30(6):713–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SL, Lachlan K, Tamborini R (2003) Popular video games: quantifying the amount and context of violence. J Broadcasting & Elecron Media 47:58–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spear LP (2000) The adolescent brain and age-related behavioral manifestations. Neurosci Biobehavior Rev 24:417–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg L, Morris AS (2001) Adolescent development. Annu Rev Psychol 52:83–110

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steuer J (1992) Defining virtual reality: dimensions determining telepresence. J Commun 42:73–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutton J, Smith PK, Swettenham J (1999) Social cognition and bullying: social inadequacy or skilled manipulation? Br J Dev Psychol 17:435–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamborini R, Eastin MS, Skalski P, Lachlan K, Fediuk TA, Brady R (2004) Violent virtual video games and hostile thoughts. J Broadcasting Elecron Media 48(3):335–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Tapper K, Boulton M (2000) Social representations of physical, verbal, and indirect aggression in children: sex and age differences. Aggress Behav 26:442–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson KM, Haninger K (2001) Violence in e-rated video games. J Am Med Association 286(5):591–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uhlmann E, Swanson J (2004) Exposure to violent video games increases automatic aggressiveness. J Adolescence 27:41–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaillancourt T, Brendgen M, Boivin M, Tremblay RE (2003) A longitudinal confirmatory factor analysis of indirect and physical aggression: evidence of two factors over time? Child Dev 74(1):1628–1638

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Voort THA, Vooijs MW (1990) Validity of children’s direct estimates of time spent television viewing. J Broadcasting Electron Media 34(1):93–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandewater EA, Lee HJ, Shim M-S (2005) Family conflict and violent electronic media use in school-aged children. Media Psychol 7:73–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber R, Ritterfeld U, Mathiak K (2006) Does playing violent video games induce aggression? Empirical evidence of a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Media Psychol 8(1):39–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the grants from the Academy of Finland (201669), the Information Society Institute of the University of Tampere and the Tampere University of Technology (16-01), and the Competitive research funding of the Pirkanmaa Hospital District (9G211). We are grateful to the schools for cooperation and to the children and adolescents who participated in the study. We thank Minna Rantanen, Riikka Haakana, Marja Vajaranta, Marjatta Radecki, Susanna Rainio, Lasse Pere, and Tomi Lintonen for assistance in data collection and Marjatta Radecki and Hanna Hölttä for coding the data. We also thank Mrs. Marja Vajaranta, University of Tampere, for revising the language.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Tampere and Research Unit of Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere University Hospital, University of Tampere, FIN – 33014, Tampere, Finland

    Marjut Wallenius

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Tampere, FIN – 33014, Tampere, Finland

    Raija-Leena Punamäki

  3. Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN – 33014, Tampere, Finland

    Arja Rimpelä

Authors
  1. Marjut Wallenius
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raija-Leena Punamäki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Arja Rimpelä
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marjut Wallenius.

Additional information

Marjut Wallenius is a Senior researcher, Department of Psychology, University of Tampere. She is currently conducting a longitudinal study on information and communication technology and adolescent development and health.

Raija-Leena Punamäki is a Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Tampere. She is specialized in mental health, child development, and family relationships among trauma victims. Her research interests also include symbolic processes such as playing, dreaming and imagination.

Arja Rimpelä is a Professor, Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere. Her research has focused on adolescent health and health behaviors, socio-demographic health differences, and evaluation of health promotion activities.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wallenius, M., Punamäki, RL. & Rimpelä, A. Digital Game Playing and Direct and Indirect Aggression in Early Adolescence: The Roles of Age, Social Intelligence, and Parent-Child Communication. J Youth Adolescence 36, 325–336 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9151-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9151-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation