A multi-informant longitudinal study on the relationship between aggression, peer victimization, and dating status in adolescence

Original article:

A multi-informant longitudinal study on the relationship between aggression, peer victimization, and dating status in adolescence

Evolutionary Psychology 10(2): 253-270 Steven Arnocky, Department of Psychology, Nipissing UniversityTracy Vaillancourt, Faculty of Education and School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, tracy.vaillancourt@uottawa.ca

Abstract

Adolescent peer-aggression has recently been considered from the evolutionary perspective of intrasexual competition for mates. We tested the hypothesis that peer-nominated physical aggression, indirect aggression, along with self-reported bullying behaviors at Time 1 would predict Time 2 dating status (one year later), and that Time 1 peer- and self-reported peer victimization would negatively predict Time 2 dating status. Participants were 310 adolescents who were in grades 6 through 9 (ages 11-14) at Time 1. Results showed that for both boys and girls, peer-nominated indirect aggression was predictive of dating one year later even when controlling for age, peer-rated attractiveness, and peer-perceived popularity, as well as initial dating status. For both sexes, self-reported peer victimization was negatively related to having a dating partner at Time 2. Findings are discussed within the framework of intrasexual competition.

Keywords

intrasexual competition, aggression, bullying, victimization, dating, adolescents

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Evolutionary Psychology Co-Editors: Steven M. Platek, Benedict C. Jones, and Todd K. Shackelford