Abstract
The present study examines the role of irritability in form and function subtypes of aggression over 1 year in early childhood (N = 300, Mage = 44.70 months, SD = 4.38 months). This study prospectively tests hostile attribution biases (HAB) as a mediator in irritability’s relations with aggression, with hypothesized form-specific relations between HAB and aggression. Moderation by gender and a reversed alternative model (aggression to irritability, mediated by HAB), were also tested. Path analyses showed irritability predicted increases in all subtypes of aggression (βs = 0.24–0.34), but with moderation by gender, such that irritability significantly predicted increases in reactive relational aggression for girls only (β = 0.43). Reactive physical aggression also significantly predicted increases in irritability (β = 0.15). HAB was not associated significantly with any forms or functions of aggression, although gender differences emerged between HAB for instrumental provocations and reactive physical aggression. No significant indirect effects were found. Results highlight the importance of considering both forms and functions of aggression when investigating irritability, and point to potential gender differences in the role of irritability in relational aggression in early childhood.
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17 October 2020
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00719-3
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Acknowledgements
We appreciate Dr. Rina Das Eiden for providing extensive review of an earlier version of the manuscript and Kristin Perry for additional statistical consultation. We thank the PEERS project staff and the participating families for their contributions and support of this project. We would like to thank Dr. Dianna Murray-Close, Dr. Sarah Blakely-McClure, Dr. Kimberly Kamper-DeMarco, Lauren Mutignani, Sarah Probst, Samantha Kesselring, Gabriela Memba, and many research assistants for data collection and coordination.
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Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Science Foundation (BCS-1450777) to the second author. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the National Science Foundation.
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Perhamus, G.R., Ostrov, J.M. Emotions and Cognitions in Early Childhood Aggression: the Role of Irritability and Hostile Attribution Biases. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 49, 63–75 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00707-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00707-7