Patterns of Change over Time in Beliefs Legitimizing Aggression in Adolescents and Young Adults: Risk Trajectories and Their Relationship with Serious Aggression

Abstract

Using an ecological developmental conceptual framework for understanding and preventing serious aggression, the authors examined the relationship over time between beliefs legitimizing aggression (BLA) and use of aggression. Data from seven waves of the National Youth Survey were used to fit a semiparametric group-based model that identified four distinct trajectories of BLA risk over time: low/stable, moderate/stable, moderate/decreasing, and high/decreasing. Results indicated that BLA risk was associated with the onset of serious aggression by early adolescence. BLA risk status was significantly related to aggression at all seven waves, but the magnitude of the relationships was smaller at later waves. Comparison of the moderate/stable and moderate/decreasing risk groups indicated that decreases in BLA risk level during late adolescence and young adulthood were not related to decreases in levels of aggression. Results suggest that reducing beliefs about aggression is a promising strategy for primary prevention aimed at children and young adolescents but that secondary prevention and treatment should target factors other than BLA risk to bring about reduced levels of aggression.