Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Prior research on relational aggression has been limited by failing to look at high school students and by not considering the context in which relational aggression may occur in adolescence. Changes that occur during adolescence may make relational aggression both especially salient and hurtful in this population. For example, friendships during adolescence are more intimate than during any other developmental period. It is also during adolescence when dating relationships are prevalent, taking the primary focus off of same-sex peer relations. The purpose of this study was to examine how adolescents react (both emotionally and behaviorally) when their friend neglects them for a dating partner. A self-report instrument, adapted from past research, was designed for this study to assess feelings (jealous, angry, betrayed), relational aggression, and overt aggression. A total of 217 participants in grades 9 to 12 responded to 9 different social situations. Results indicated that girls reported they would feel significantly more jealous, angry, and betrayed compared to boys when neglected by their friend for a dating partner. Also, boys reported they would use overt aggression significantly more than did girls when neglected by their friend for a dating partner. Further, boys and younger adolescents reported they were more likely to use overt aggression when neglected by their friend for a dating partner. Finally, adolescents who have experienced being neglected by their friend for a dating partner reported they were more likely to use relational aggression compared to those who did not have experience being neglected by their friend for a dating partner.

Download

Share

COinS