SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGGRESSIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES AND AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR IN 14-YEAR-OLD ADOLESCENTS

This study examines the relationship between aggressive problem-solvin g strategies and aggressive behaviour, and the intervening role of soc ial acceptance in that relationship. The subjects were 780 14-year-old adolescents (382 girls and 398 boys). They completed a questionnaire measuring social problem-solving strategies, while assessments of aggr essive behaviour and social acceptance were obtained by peer ratings. The results showed that aggressive problem-solving strategies were onl y moderately related to aggressive behaviour, social acceptance playin g an important role. Those who received incongruent social feedback, i .e. scored high on social acceptance even though they behaved aggressi vely, or low although they behaved non-aggressively, expressed aggress ive problem-solving strategies which conflicted with their actual beha viour. Those who received congruent social feedback, on the other hand , i.e. scored high on social acceptance if they behaved non-aggressive ly, or low if they behaved aggressively, had strategies which were in line with their actual aggressive behaviour. Analyses of gender differ ences showed that aggressive problem-solving strategies were related t o aggressive behaviour and social acceptance more among boys. The find ings are discussed in terms of social information-processing models an d social knowledge about the self.