The relationship between impulsiveness and indirect aggression among Arab female adolescents in Israel: The mediating role of affiliation with delinquent peers and moderating role of closeness to parents.

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of affiliation with delinquent peers (ADP) and the moderating role of closeness to parents in the relationship between impulsivity and perpetration of indirect aggression. Arab female adolescents in Israel (aged 12-21; N = 404) completed a self-report questionnaire. The mediation-moderation model was examined after controlling for intersectional factors related to the females' unique social locations in Arab society. The study found that 66.1% of the girls had perpetrated at least one indirect act of aggression at least once during the past month. Moreover, most reported agreement with at least one item that examined their closeness to their father and mother (75.7% and 77%, respectively). The results also showed that the direct effect of impulsivity on perpetration of indirect aggression against others became significant after including the mediation factor (ADP). Finally, for high closeness to parents, the association between impulsivity and ADP was positive and significant, whereas it was insignificant for medium and low closeness. The findings highlight the importance of operationalized as parent-closeness to parents, child communication skills, boundary setting, and monitoring, which may decrease the tendency of adolescents to perpetrate aggression. Public Policy Relevance StatementThe present study advances the idea that perpetration of indirect aggression among female adolescents and young women might be addressed most effectively by intervention programs informed by family intervention and parent-child communication. These findings are helpful for practitioners working with girls who perpetrate violence. They should be aware that it would be difficult to change their behavior unless peer affiliation and parentchild skill communication are addressed.