Citation

Teng Z, Liu Y, Guo C. Aggress. Violent Behav. 2015; 21: 45-54.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.avb.2015.01.005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Whether high or low self-esteem is associated with increased aggression remains a topic of debate. The majority has argued that aggression is linked to low self-esteem, though this stance has been disputed by others. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between aggression and self-esteem by meta-analysis to provide conclusive evidence on this debate. Fifty-two studies were included, with a total of 82,358 Chinese student participants. The results suggested a medium negative correlation between aggression and self-esteem (r = −.21, 95% confidence interval [−.23, −.17]). Analysis of aggression sub-factors showed that almost all subtypes, except verbal aggression (i.e., physical aggression, anger, hostility, and implicit and explicit aggression), were negatively correlated with self-esteem. Moderator analyses suggested that various study and participant characteristics (i.e., subject group, sample size, and aggression assessment instrument) influenced the strength of the association between self-esteem and aggression.