Individual Differences Research

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Individual Differences Research > Volume 20 (2022) > e20004

Psychosocial Correlates of Overt Aggression in Intercollegiate Athletes

Eric A. Storch, Daniel M. Bagner, Susan Bongilatti, Nicole R. Werner, Jason B. Storch

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between overt aggression and psychosocial adjustment in a sample of Division I intercollegiate athletes. A peer nomination instrument designed to assess overt aggression and sociometric status, and selected subscales of the Personality Assessment Inventory were administered to 105 intercollegiate athletes (49% female) at a large public university in the Southeastern United States. Results show that physical and verbal aggression were positively correlated with peer rejection for men and women, and verbal aggression was positively related to alcohol use for women. Implications of these findings for understanding the implications of overtly aggressive behavior among intercollegiate athletes are discussed.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Keywords

Overt aggression;

Intercollegiate athletes;

Peer rejection;

Psychosocial adjustment;

Verbal and physical aggression;

Alcohol use