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Investigating an Alternative Conceptualization of Relational Aggression in an Emerging Adult Sample

Rebesco, Ariana
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1433-6675
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1468935738

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Psychology - Clinical.
Relational aggression is often conceptualized as an individual and social problem. However, a comprehensive review of the literature reveals a much more ambiguous story. There is both an empirical and theoretical basis for exploring the possibility that an alternative conceptualization of this phenomenon may be more accurate. In the current project, an empirical investigation was conducted to compare the dominant pathological conceptualization of relational aggression to an alternative conceptualization. The Young Adult Conflict Resolution and Aggression questionnaire, the Indirect Aggression Scale, and the Mental Health Inventory were completed by 209 college students. Curvilinear regressions were conducted to obtain goodness-of-fit statistics for both linear and curvilinear models of the relationship between relational aggression and both psychological distress and anxiety. While a curvilinear model was significant for both analyses, the slope was in the opposite direction than anticipated. Similarly, contrary to expectations, follow-up t-tests on the residuals suggested that neither model was a statistically significant “better fit” to the data for either of the analyses. Implications of the results are discussed and limitations and recommendations are outlined. While results of the current study are not conclusive, findings suggest that further theoretical and empirical examination of alternative conceptual models of relational aggression is warranted.
Jeanne Brockmyer (Committee Chair)
Wesley Bullock (Committee Member)
Stanley Edwards (Committee Member)
Yueh-Ting Lee (Committee Member)
Joni Mihura (Committee Member)
146 p.
Clinical Psychology; Mental Health; Psychology; Social Psychology
relational aggression

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rebesco, A. (2016). Investigating an Alternative Conceptualization of Relational Aggression in an Emerging Adult Sample [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1468935738

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rebesco, Ariana. Investigating an Alternative Conceptualization of Relational Aggression in an Emerging Adult Sample . 2016. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1468935738.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rebesco, Ariana. "Investigating an Alternative Conceptualization of Relational Aggression in an Emerging Adult Sample ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1468935738

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1468935738
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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.