Longitudinal Reciprocity between Theory of Mind and Aggression in Middle Childhood
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| Title: | Longitudinal Reciprocity between Theory of Mind and Aggression in Middle Childhood |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Holl, Anna Katharina, Kirsch, Fabian, Rohlf, Helena, Krahé, Barbara, Elsner, Birgit |
| Source: | International Journal of Behavioral Development. Mar 2018 42(2):257-266. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2018 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education |
| Descriptors: | Theory of Mind, Aggression, Correlation, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Predictor Variables, Social Cognition, Longitudinal Studies, Cartoons, Responses, Elementary School Students, Structural Equation Models, Statistical Analysis, Measures (Individuals), Interpersonal Relationship, Verbal Ability, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Germany |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0165025417727875 |
| ISSN: | 0165-0254 |
| Abstract: | Theory of mind is one of the most important cognitive factors in social information-processing, and deficits in theory of mind have been linked to aggressive behavior in childhood. The present longitudinal study investigated reciprocal links between theory of mind and two forms of aggression--physical and relational--in middle childhood with three data waves over 3 years. Theory of mind was assessed by participants' responses to cartoons, and physical and relational aggression were assessed through teacher reports in a community sample of 1657 children (mean age at Time 1: 8 years). Structural equation modeling analyses showed that theory of mind was a negative predictor of subsequent physical and relational aggression, both from Time 1 to Time 2 as well as from Time 2 to Time 3. Moreover, relational aggression was a negative predictor of theory of mind from Time 1 to Time 2. There were no significant gender or age differences in the tested pathways. The results suggest that reciprocal and negative longitudinal relations exist between children's theory of mind and aggressive behavior. Our study extends current knowledge about the development of such relations across middle childhood. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 60 |
| Entry Date: | 2018 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1169004 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Theory of mind is one of the most important cognitive factors in social information-processing, and deficits in theory of mind have been linked to aggressive behavior in childhood. The present longitudinal study investigated reciprocal links between theory of mind and two forms of aggression--physical and relational--in middle childhood with three data waves over 3 years. Theory of mind was assessed by participants' responses to cartoons, and physical and relational aggression were assessed through teacher reports in a community sample of 1657 children (mean age at Time 1: 8 years). Structural equation modeling analyses showed that theory of mind was a negative predictor of subsequent physical and relational aggression, both from Time 1 to Time 2 as well as from Time 2 to Time 3. Moreover, relational aggression was a negative predictor of theory of mind from Time 1 to Time 2. There were no significant gender or age differences in the tested pathways. The results suggest that reciprocal and negative longitudinal relations exist between children's theory of mind and aggressive behavior. Our study extends current knowledge about the development of such relations across middle childhood. |
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| ISSN: | 0165-0254 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0165025417727875 |
