Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research

Joaquim J.F. Soares; Silvia Fraga; Eija Viitasara; Mindaugas Stankunas; Örjan Sundin; Maria Gabriella Melchiorre; Gloria Macassa; Henrique Barros

2014 Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research

doi: 10.1108/JACPR-06-2013-0015

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate chronicity (frequency) in different abuse types (e.g. psychological) and overall abuse (all abuse types) by severity (minor, severe, total) in seven European cities, and scrutinize factors associated with high chronicity levels (frequency on the median and higher) in psychological and overall abuse by severity. Design/methodology/approach – The study design was cross‐sectional. The sample consisted of 4,467 randomly selected women/men (2,559 women) aged 60‐84 years from seven European cities, and data were analysed with bivariate and multivariate methods. Findings – Chronicity varied across country and by abuse type. For instance, Germany had the highest chronicity means in physical and sexual abuse; Greece in physical, injury, sexual and overall abuse; Lithuania in physical, injury, financial and overall abuse; Portugal in physical abuse; Spain in physical, sexual and financial abuse; and Sweden in psychological, injury, financial and overall abuse. In general, Italy had the lowest chronicity means. The main perpetrators were people close to the respondents and women (in some cases). Research limitations/implications – The independent relationship (regressions) between chronicity/severity of abuse, country and other variables (e.g. depression) was examined only for psychological and overall abuse. More research into this issue with other types of abuse (e.g. sexual) is warranted. Originality/value – The paper reports data from the ABUEL survey, which gathered population‐based data on elderly abuse.

Anna Park; William Ickes; Rebecca L. Robinson

2014 Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research

doi: 10.1108/JACPR-04-2013-0009

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to (1) to identify personality variables that reliably predict verbal rudeness ( i.e by replicating previous findings) and (2) to investigate what personality variables predict more general ugly confrontational behaviors. Design/methodology/approach – In Study 1, the authors used an online survey to collect information regarding individual differences in social desirability, self‐esteem, narcissism, blirtatiousness, behavioral inhibition, behavioral activation, conventional morality (CM), thin‐skinned ego defensiveness (TSED), affect intensity for anger and frustration (AIAF), and verbal rudeness. In Study 2, the authors used a similar online survey to collect the same information, but extended the survey questionnaire to include measures of entitlement, psychopathology, Machiavellianism, and a retrospective checklist of ugly confrontational behaviors. Findings – In Study 1, regression analyses revealed that CM, behavioral inhibition, and behavioral activation reward responsiveness were significant negative predictors of rudeness. AIAF, TSED and behavioral activation drive were significant positive predictors of rudeness. In Study 2, regression analyses revealed that CM was again a significant negative predictor of rudeness. AIAF, and narcissism were significant positive predictors of rudeness. CM also negatively predicted ugly confrontational behaviors, whereas AIAF, blirtatiousness, and Machiavellianism were positive predictors. Originality/value – Although several measures of aggression exist, the current studies of rudeness and ugly confrontational behavior specifically assess tendencies to abuse strangers. These studies begin to establish a personality profile of the type of person that might abuse strangers.

Chunyong Yuan; Aihui Shao; Xinyin Chen; Tao Xin; Li Wang; Yufang Bian

2014 Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research

doi: 10.1108/JACPR-11-2012-0013

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the developmental trajectory and patterns of physical aggression and relational aggression over time, and also to examine the gender differences of the three‐year developmental process as well as the impact of the developmental trajectory on mental health. Design/methodology/approach – Participants: the participants of this study were newly enrolled junior school students. The study spanned three years with continuous tracking performed once every other year. Measures: class play questionnaire. Aggressive behaviors were measured by an adaptive Chinese version of the revised class play assessment. Statistical analysis: to address the questions of the present study, the latent class growth model (LCGM) was used to analyze the three‐year longitudinal data by Mplus 6.1. Findings – The initial level of physical aggression in boys was higher than that in girls. There were three types of developmental trajectory for boys, corresponding to a lower initial level‐increasing group, a middle initial level‐increasing group and a higher initial level‐stable group. However, girls demonstrated different patterns, corresponding to a lower initial level‐increasing group, a middle initial level‐increasing group and a higher initial level‐decreasing group. In contrast to the physical aggression, the initial level of relational aggression in boys was lower than that in girls. There were four types of developmental trajectory for boys, corresponding to a lower initial level‐increasing group, a middle initial level‐increasing group, a middle initial level‐declining group and a higher initial level‐declining group. Girls illustrated different patterns, corresponding to a lower initial level‐stable group, a middle initial level‐increasing group and a higher initial level‐declining group. Different developmental trajectory of physical and relational aggression would influence the interpersonal relationship. Originality/value – This paper used a person‐centered latent variable approach instead of the variable‐centered approach to investigate the developmental trajectory and patterns of physical aggression and relational aggression over three year by employing the LCGM. The initial level of physical aggression in boys was higher than that in girls. In contrast, the initial level of relational aggression in boys was lower than that in girls. There were gender differences in the pattern of physical and relational aggression development trajectory. Different developmental trajectory of physical and relational aggression would influence the interpersonal relationship.

Mediel Hove; Tinashe Nyamunda; Patience Mukwambo

2014 Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research

doi: 10.1108/JACPR-11-2012-0014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the debilitating socio‐economic impact caused by the diamonds at Chiadzwa area in Zimbabwe on the illegal mining community that emerged and inhabited the hills of Chiadzwa between 2006 and the beginning of 2009. The research was carried out for academic proposes, as an advocacy strategy to expose the abuses and violent state operations perpetrated by the security forces. In addition, it intends to equip policy makers and implementers about the heavy handedness of Zimbabwe's security sector during its operations in the area in an effort to enable policy implementers to defend the rights of the affected people at Chiadzwa. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology engaged was chiefly qualitative and the study was a product of primary sources (especially in‐depth interviews) and secondary sources (text books, journal articles, newspapers and the internet). Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to collect the data between 2007 and 2009. Collected data were analysed and compiled between 2009 and 2013. Some of the names used in this study for our respondents are pseudo and this was done to ensure anonymity and secure the providers of information against possible retribution. On the other hand real names were used in particular where violent state driven operations were discussed. Findings – Initially the government of Zimbabwe was reluctant to intervene in the illegal extraction of diamonds in search of political leverage. Later it responded with violent manipulative strategies and operations with detrimental consequences on the illegal miners. The brutal strategies employed by individuals and the state led to injury, illness and death of people amid a harsh socio‐economic environment. Research limitations/implications – A number of respondents preferred to use pseudonyms because they feared that information collected could be used against them. Practical implications – The study is a good example of conflict between the state machinery and its citizens over a natural resource. It reveals excessive use of force by the state which appears to be the norm in other countries where diamonds are dubbed “blood diamonds”. Social implications – In the midst of the diamond‐related violence a new and vibrant social identity emerged commonly referred to as magweja . The area experienced challenges especially with regards to the provision of health services and the traditional use of herbs was endangered by the destruction of vegetation. Originality/value – It reveals a milieu, state regulation enforcement and security agents, magombiro (armed robbers or murderers) all who discharged violence on magweja the foremost victims of the violent systems and practices. In addition, it encourages policy markers and implementers to devise non‐violent strategies when dealing with illegal exploitation of natural resources.