Self-esteem and Social Problem Solving as Predictors of Aggression In College Students

This study examined the relations between self-esteem, social problem-solving ability, and aggression in a sample of 205 college students. The Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised was used to measure five different dimensions of social problem-solving ability (viz., positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving, impulsivity/carelessness style, & avoidance style) and the Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure four different dimensions of aggression (viz., physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, & hostility). Self-esteem and social problem-solving ability were measured at the same time, whereas aggression was measured six to seven weeks later. Low self-esteem was found to be related to anger and hostility, and several specific problem-solving dimensions were found to be related to anger, hostility, and physical aggression. A series of path analyses found support for a mediational model in which the link between self-esteem and anger is fully mediated by negative problem orientation. In addition, the results also suggested that negative problem orientation partially mediates the relationship between self-esteem and hostility. The theoretical, research, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.