Transitions in aggression among children: Effects of gender and exposure to online violence

Abstract

This study assessed aggression statuses and transitions among children and examined the effects that gender and exposure to online violence can exert on aggression. A sample of 2155 children recruited from 30 primary schools in Taipei, Taiwan completed surveys in both 2015 (5th grade) and 2016 (6th grade). Latent transition analysis (LTA) was performed, and the results identified three latent statuses of aggression: “None,” “School aggression,” and “Cyber‐aggression.” About 10% of children behaved aggressively. When in their 5th‐grade year, boys were more likely than girls to be a school aggressor (6.48% vs. 4.04%) or a cyber‐aggressor (2.37% vs. 1.64%). Among boys who originally were considered to be a school aggressor, 36.19% remained so, 58% renounced their school aggression status, and 5.81% became a cyber‐aggressor. Among girls who originally were considered to be a cyber‐aggressor, 22.23% remained so, 68.29% renounced their cyber‐aggression status, and 9.48% became a school aggressor. Controlling for student's academic performance, household income, and parents' marital status, exposure to online violence was a statistically significant predictor of aggression status for both boys and girls. Children's exposure to online violence appeared to increase the risk of aggression.

Children’s mobile-gaming preferences, online risks, and mental health

“…Prior research has revealed that violent media exposure causes an increase in aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, physiologic arousal, hostile appraisals, and aggressive behavior [ 4 ]. Children’s exposure to online violence appeared to increase the risk of aggression [ 56 ]. Prior studies also found children’s and adolescent’s Internet gaming addictions were related to cyber aggression/victimization [ 57 ].…”

Situational and personal determinants of adolescents’ attitudes toward online celebrity bashing.

“…Cultivation processes have been extensively investigated in the context of exposure to violent and aggressive content and gaming (Rodenhizer & Edwards, 2019). In fact, significant relationships have been found between exposure to violent media and proaggressive attitudes and behavior, both in cross-sectional (e.g., Chiang et al, 2021; Lam et al, 2013) and longitudinal research (Coyne, 2016; Ostrov et al, 2006; Pabian et al, 2016; Rodenhizer & Edwards, 2019). For example, Soral et al (2018) found that exposure to online hate speech resulted in more positive attitudes toward this form of communication.…”