The Association Between Perpetration of Relational Aggressive Tendencies and Adolescent Antisocial Behavior

ABSTRACT

Most research on relational aggression has primarily examined these behaviors among children, with limited exploration of its developmental progression during early adolescence and its associations with antisocial behaviors such as alcohol use, physical aggression, and rule‐breaking conduct. Guided by current theoretical models, this study employed a latent growth curve model to address these gaps in the literature by (1) examining the developmental onset and growth rate of relational aggression and (2) estimating the effects of its onset and growth on physical aggression, alcohol use, and rule‐breaking behavior, while accounting for gender and race differences ( N  = 4718). Results indicated that relational aggression peaked at Time 1 and declined by Time 3. Additionally, the onset and rate of growth in relational aggression at both Time 1 and Time 3 were positively associated with distal adolescent outcomes, including alcohol use, physical aggression, and rule‐breaking behaviors at Time 4. These findings suggest that, although relational aggression increased initially, these tendencies tended to decrease over time during adolescence. Furthermore, adolescents who initially engaged in relational aggression were more likely to develop broader antisocial behaviors, such as substance use, aggression, and rule‐breaking conduct. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.