Joint Trajectories of Peer Aggression and Peer Victimization in Chinese Early Adolescents: Relations to Internalization Problems and Suicidal Ideation

Abstract

This study examined heterogeneous co-developmental trajectories of physical and relational aggression and victimization during early adolescence, as well as the relations between these identifiably distinct trajectories and adolescent internalizing problems and suicidal ideation. Using an accelerated longitudinal design, 4731 Chinese early adolescents (44.9% girls; Mage = 10.91 years, SD = 0.72) in two cohorts (grades 4 and 5) were included, and four measures were completed over a 2-year period. Parallel process latent category growth models revealed four distinct groups: low aggression-high victimization (9.6%); High drop relational aggression and victimization but recovering physical aggression (5.0%); low aggression-low victimization (79.9%); stabilizing aggression-victimization (5.5%); all of which were associated with indicators of children's internalization problems and suicidal ideation. Adolescents with low aggression-high victimization and stabilizing aggression-victimization were more likely to experience more internalizing problems and suicidal ideation. Understanding these dynamics can aid in designing targeted interventions to address both relational and physical aggression and victimization, thereby promoting healthier social interactions and mental well-being among adolescents.