The aim of this study was to examine the relations between popularity and different types of aggressive, destructive, and norm-breaking behaviors in a large cross-sectional sample of adolescents (N=3,312, M age=13.60). We were interested in the extent to which the relations of these behaviors with popularity were moderated by positive features (i.e., athletic abilities, physical attractiveness, and prosociality). From a goal-framing perspective, it was argued that positive features evoke positive affect, which in turn enhances the positive impact of aggressive, destructive, and norm-breaking behaviors on popularity. The results supported our notion that these latter behaviors are especially related to popularity in adolescents who also exhibit positive features.

doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00594.x, hdl.handle.net/1765/24844
Journal of Research on Adolescence
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Dijkstra, J., Lindenberg, S., Verhulst, F., Ormel, J. H., & Veenstra, R. (2009). The relation between popularity and aggressive, destructive, and norm-breaking behaviors: Moderating effects of athletic abilities, physical attractiveness, and prosociality. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 19(3), 401–413. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00594.x