Does response evaluation and decision (RED) mediate the relation between hostile attributional style and antisocial behavior in adolescence?

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The role of hostile attributional style (HAS) in antisocial development has been well-documented. We analyzed longitudinal data on 585 youths (48% female; 19% ethnic minority) to test the hypothesis that response evaluation and decision (RED) mediates the relation between HAS and antisocial behavior in adolescence. In Grades 10 and 12, adolescent participants and their parents reported participants' antisocial conduct. In Grade 11, participants were asked to imagine themselves in videotaped ambiguous-provocation scenarios. Segment 1 of each scenario presented an ambiguous provocation, after which participants answered HAS questions. In segment 2, participants were asked to imagine themselves responding aggressively to the provocateur, after which RED was assessed. Structural equation modeling indicated that RED mediates the relation between HAS and subsequent antisocial conduct, controlling for previous misconduct. Findings are consistent with research on the development of executive function processes in adolescence, and suggest that the relation between HAS and RED changes after childhood.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Fontaine, RG; Tanha, M; Yang, C; Dodge, KA; Bates, JE; Pettit, GS

Published Date

  • July 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 38 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 615 - 626

PubMed ID

  • 20186477

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3726053

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1573-2835

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0091-0627

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10802-010-9397-y

Language

  • eng