Development of social problem-solving strategies and changes in aggressive behavior: A 7-year follow-up from childhood to late adolescence

Abstract

The aim of this study was to predict a stability of aggressive behavior on the basis of social problem‐solving strategies. Subjects were a total of 120 children, but complete follow‐up data were available only in 47 cases. Their aggressive behaviors were peer rated, and problem‐solving strategies were assessed in childhood subjects being 10 years on average, and 7 years later. Association between a development of social strategies and changes in aggressive behavior was studied with personality‐oriented pattern analyses. The main finding was that a development of strategies predicted a stability or changes of aggressive behavior very well. Aggressive strategies, both in childhood and in adolescence, as well as a lack of constructive alternatives characterized permanently aggressive subjects. Turning from nonaggressive to aggressive behavior was also explained by aggressive problem‐solving strategies, while a positive development, i.e., turning from childhood aggressive to adolescent nonaggressive behavior, was possible only if a person had never used aggressive strategies. Agreement between behavior and strategies was higher among girls. The findings supported a claim that intervention of aggressive behavior may be possible by modifying social strategies. Aggr. Behav. 25:269–279, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Links between social information processing in middle childhood and involvement in bullying

“…But it also suggests that, at least at this age, children find it difficult to consider alternative options; that is, to act as social strategists. However, a positive interpretation of this finding would be that there is still room for teaching alternative solutions, especially assertive responses, in order to avoid the development of chronic aggressive behavior [Keltikangas-Ja¨rvinen and Pakaslahti, 1999].…”

The relationship between bullying, victimization, trait emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and empathy among preadolescents

“…On the contrary, those with low self-efficacy are likely to engage in, among other maladaptive behaviors, bullying and victimization (e.g. Keltikangas-Jarvinen and Pakasiahti 1999).…”

From beliefs to behavior: the mediating role of hostile response selection in predicting aggression

“…Moreover, the type of processing that occurs during this step depends on one's normative beliefs because the range of behaviors that one thinks are appropriate encompass his/her response selection. Researchers have demonstrated that aggressive children and adolescents are more likely to generate and endorse aggressive problem-solving behaviors as methods they would use to resolve a given situation Erdley and Asher, 1998;Fontaine et al, 2002;Keltikangas-Ja¨rvinen and Pakaslahti, 1999;Richard and Dodge, 1982]. Additionally, results from a longitudinal study provide support for a model where cognitions precede aggressive behavior; the results indicate that response selection processing predicts subsequent aggressive behavior as opposed to aggressive behavior predicting subsequent response selection [Keltikangas-Ja¨rvinen and Pakaslahti, 1999].…”