Relationship between Relational Aggression and Interpersonal Problems among Adolescents

Abstract

: Relational aggression is also defined as an intentional behavior to harm a person through damaging or manipulating relationships with others by ignoring, exclusion of an individual and spreading rumors.The current study tried to explore the relationship between relational aggression and interpersonal problems.A sample of 240 adolescents (12-14 years of age)from public/private schools of city Lahore was selectedi.e 120 boys and 120 girls.. The sample of study will be selected through purposive sampling technique. The interpersonal problems were measured through Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, 2000 (IIP-32) and relational aggression was measured through Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale, 2010.For statistical analysis, correlation and t-test statistics were used. Resultsshowed a significantly positive correlation between interpersonal problems and relational aggression (r=.223, p<0.01). Female adolescents show more relational aggression than male adolescents (t= -2.238, p<0.05). Male adolescents are more distressed with interpersonal problems/difficulties than female adolescents(t= 3.537, p<0.01).Public school adolescent are experience more interpersonal problems than private school adolescents (t= 2.945 p<0.01). This study can be helpful for counselors, students, parents and teachers to help adolescents improve their relations with others and in controlling or lessening their aggression.