A dyadic perspective on aggressive behavior between friends
Corresponding Author
Naomi C. Z. Andrews
Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence Naomi C. Z. Andrews, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
Email: nandrews@brocku.ca
Search for more papers by this authorLaura D. Hanish
T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorDebra J. Pepler
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Naomi C. Z. Andrews
Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence Naomi C. Z. Andrews, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
Email: nandrews@brocku.ca
Search for more papers by this authorLaura D. Hanish
T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorDebra J. Pepler
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Youth are sometimes victimized by their friends, but we know little about the nature of these relationships. Taking a dyadic approach, we studied relationships characterized by both friendship and aggression. Participants (952 middle schoolers; 50% female; 44% Latinx) nominated friends and aggressive perpetrators and victims. Using two analytic samples of friend dyads (N = 6971) and aggressive dyads (N = 4662), results indicated that aggression by a friend was somewhat common. Compared with friend dyads without aggression, aggressive friend dyads were stronger (i.e., reciprocal) and longer lasting, though victimized youth were less satisfied with the friendship. Aggressive dyads who were friends more often had reciprocal aggression than aggressive dyads who were not friends. Results provide insight into the dynamics of aggression in close peer relationships.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that supports the findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Supporting Information
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