Empathy and conflict resolution: The mediating role of displaced aggression

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate whether displaced aggression mediates the relation between empathy and conflict resolution. To test this mediation model the interactions between empathy and conflict resolution, empathy and displaced aggression and displaced aggression and conflict resolution were examined by administrating a questionnaire among 102 high school adolescents. Based on the present study, displaced aggression did not mediate the relation between empathy and conflict resolution. However, we did find that girls score higher on empathic concern than boys and that perspective taking is associated with more positive problem solving and less revenge planning and behavioral displaced aggression. Furthermore, anger rumination is associated with more withdrawal and less compliance. Also, revenge planning is associated with less positive problem solving and compliance, and with more conflict engagement. Finally, behavioral displaced aggression is associated with less positive problem solving and more conflict engagement. Girls tend to engage more in behavioral displaced aggression than boys.