IngentaConnect A Meta-Analysis of the Distinction between Reactive and Proactive...

Authors: Polman, Hanneke¹; Orobio de Castro, Bram; Koops, Willem; van Boxtel, Herman; Merk, Welmoet

Source: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Volume 35, Number 4, August 2007 , pp. 522-535(14)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

The present meta-analytic review aimed to clarify divergent findings concerning the relation between reactive and proactive aggression in children and adolescents. Fifty-one studies with 17,965 participants were included in the analysis. A significant correlation between reactive and proactive aggression was found. The strength of this relation varied considerably between studies, from −.10 to .89. Observational assessment and tilt/noise tasks were associated with smaller correlations than questionnaires. Within the large group of questionnaire studies, studies disentangling the form and function of aggression found lower correlations than studies that did not disentangle form and function. Among questionnaire studies, higher reliability was associated with larger correlations. Effect size did not depend on other study characteristics such as sample type, age, and informant type. It is concluded that reactive and proactive aggression are most clearly distinguished with behavioral observations and questionnaires that unravel form and functions of aggression.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Reactive aggression; Proactive aggression; Aggressive behavior; Subtypes of aggressive behavior

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s10802-007-9109-4

Affiliations: 1: Email: J.D.M.Polman@fss.uu.nl

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A Meta-Analysis of the Distinction between Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Children and Adolescents