Reactieve en proactieve agressie in relatie tot sociale angst

Abstract

While a lot is known about the differences between reactive and proactive aggression, it is surprising that their relationship with social anxiety has not been a major subject of research. This study gives information about this relationship, looking at both normal developed boys (n=35) and boys with an aggressive behaviour disorder (n=32). The results showed a positive correlation between social anxiety and reactive aggression for boys with an aggressive behaviour disorder, but this correlation is not found for proactive aggression. For normal developed boys the results show no correlation at all. Also, social anxiety did not predict reactive and proactive aggression displayed in a dyadic play session for neither normal developed boys nor for boys with an aggressive behaviour disorder. Further research is needed to explore causality between social anxiety and reactive aggression as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms.