A Network Analysis of College Students’ Coping Styles and Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between coping styles and aggressive behavior among 910 college students (average age: 19.11 ± 0.85) through a questionnaire-based approach. Separate networks were constructed for coping styles, aggressive behavior, and a bridging network linking the two. The research aims to identify the core items that act as bridges between coping styles and aggressive behavior within each network and key dimensions. Key findings include: (1) Items 4 and 9 in the positive coping style, along with items 4 and 7 in the negative coping style, serve as core nodes within the network of coping styles, with their changes significantly influencing the overall coping pattern; (2) Items 4 and 6 from the Anger dimension, item 9 from the Physical Aggression dimension, and item 6 from the Hostility dimension serve as central nodes within the network of aggression behavior. Any strengthening or weakening of these items significantly impacts this network. (3) The hostility dimension in aggressive behavior serves as a bridging node between coping styles and aggressive behavior, with both positive and negative coping styles indirectly leading to changes in aggressive behavior by affecting the level of hostility. These findings reveal the specific mechanisms through which coping styles influence aggressive behavior, providing clear focal points for mental health education in colleges. By strengthening positive coping strategies (such as providing skill training targeting items 4 and 9), intervening in negative coping behaviors (such as regulating responses related to items 4 and 7), as well as focusing on reducing hostility tendencies, colleges can effectively prevent and reduce aggressive behavior among students. This study thus provides both empirical evidence and a practical pathway for developing campus mental health intervention systems.