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Contextual Influences of Proactive and Reactive Subtypes of Aggression

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Abstract

The contextual factors associated with proactive and reactive subtypes of aggression have not been well-studied. In order to address this omission in the literature, the current study evaluated relations between perceived best friend delinquency, negative life events, and proactive and reactive aggression in a sample of 147 school-age children (Mage = 8.22 years; 54.4% male). Multiple regression analyses suggested that negative life events were uniquely associated with reactive aggression and best friend delinquency was uniquely associated with proactive aggression. Findings and their implications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    Paula J. Fite, Amber R. Wimsatt, Sara Elkins & Stevie N. Grassetti

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  1. Paula J. Fite
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  2. Amber R. Wimsatt
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Correspondence to Paula J. Fite.

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Fite, P.J., Wimsatt, A.R., Elkins, S. et al. Contextual Influences of Proactive and Reactive Subtypes of Aggression. Child Ind Res 5, 123–133 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-011-9116-4

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