Brief report: Associations between adolescent girls' social-emotional intelligence and violence perpetration

Amy L Gower; Rebecca J Shlafer; Julie Polan; Annie-Laurie McRee; Barbara J McMorris; Sandra L Pettingell; Renee E Sieving

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.10.012

Brief report: Associations between adolescent girls' social-emotional intelligence and violence perpetration

J Adolesc. 2014 Jan;37(1):67-71. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.10.012. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

Authors

Amy L Gower¹, Rebecca J Shlafer², Julie Polan³, Annie-Laurie McRee⁴, Barbara J McMorris⁵, Sandra L Pettingell⁶, Renee E Sieving⁵

Affiliations

¹ Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Healthy Youth Development - Prevention Research Center, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
³ Healthy Youth Development - Prevention Research Center, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Annex Teen Clinic, Robbinsdale, MN, USA.
⁴ Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
⁵ Healthy Youth Development - Prevention Research Center, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
⁶ School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Abstract

This study examined associations between social-emotional intelligence (SEI) and two measures of violence perpetration (relational aggression and physical violence) in a cross-sectional sample of high-risk adolescent girls (N = 253). We evaluated three aspects of SEI: stress management, intrapersonal, and interpersonal skills. Results of a multiple linear regression model accounting for participants' age, race/ethnicity, and experiences of relational aggression victimization indicated that girls with better stress management skills were less likely to perpetrate relational aggression. A parallel model for perpetration of physical violence showed a similar pattern of results. Study findings suggest that SEI, and stress management skills in particular, may protect adolescent girls - including those who have been victims of violence - from perpetrating relational aggression and physical violence. Interventions that build adolescent girls' social and emotional skills may be an effective strategy for reducing their perpetration of violence.

Keywords: Female adolescents; Physical violence; Relational aggression; Social–emotional intelligence.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
Aggression / psychology
Emotional Intelligence*
Female
Humans
Psychological Tests
Stress, Psychological
Violence / psychology*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding