The Relationship Between Argumentativeness, Verbal Aggressiveness, and Communication Satisfaction in Incarcerated Male Youth

Abstract

This study examined trait argumentativeness, verbal aggressiveness, and communication satisfaction among incarcerated male youth ( n = 136). In addition, they responded to hypothetical anger-inducing conflict scenes. A moderate and positive relationship was found between argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness, whereas a moderate but negative relationship between verbal aggressiveness and satisfaction with communication was found. Analysis of the behavioral intention data indicated that incarcerated youth responded to hypothetical scenes with avoidance, assertiveness, verbal aggression, or physical aggression. The physical aggression category represented the greatest intended behavior across the scenes, followed by verbal aggression. Also, youth who would engage in physical aggression were also higher in verbal aggression. Implications of these findings suggest enhancing the communicative skills of incarcerated male youth to reduce these tendencies.