Aggression, Hyperactivity, and Inattention-Immaturity: Behavior Dimensions Associated With Peer Rejection in Elementary School Boys

Alice W. Pope, Karen Linn Bierman, Gregory H. Mumma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sociometrics and a revised Pupil Evaluation Inventory (PEI) were administered to 362 boys in Grades 3-6 to define peer-rated narrow-band dimensions of undercontrolled behavior associated with peer rejection. Three dimensions resulted from factor analysis: aggression, hyperactivity, and inattention-immaturity. All 3 dimensions were associated with peer rejection; but only inattention-immaturity was negatively associated with positive sociometric status. Two distinct clusters of boys with undercontrolled behavior problems were found: a hyperactive and inattentive-immature group and a hyperactive and aggressive group. Results indicate that a more precise and powerful model of peer rejection in boys is obtained through the use of narrow-band dimensions of under-controlled behavior than through broad-band aggression-disruption scales from existing peer-rating measures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)663-671
Number of pages9
JournalDevelopmental psychology
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1991

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Demography
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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