The Mediating Role of Self-Control Between Violence Exposure and Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Chinese Early Adolescents: Gender and Grade Differences

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of self-control in the associations between violence exposure and both proactive and reactive aggression in 609 elementary-school students (45% girls, M_age = 10.93 years) and 688 middle-school students (48% girls, M_age = 13.83 years) in China. Gender and grade differences in this mediation effect were also explored. Results revealed that violence exposure negatively predicted self-control, and self-control negatively and positively predicted reactive and proactive aggression, respectively. The indirect pathway from violence exposure to reactive aggression through self-control was more pronounced for boys and for elementary-school children. Correspondingly, the indirect pathway from violence exposure to proactive aggression through self-control was stronger for middle- than for elementary-school students. The findings support the hypothesis that violence exposure impairs children’s self-control, thereby fostering reactive aggression; however, this impaired self-control does not necessarily predict high levels of proactive aggression. These findings highlight the importance of promoting self-control skills for reducing reactive aggression, particularly among boys and younger children. Educators should attend to the potential misuse of proactive aggression among well-regulated children who may find such behavior effective and rewarding.