The Relationship Between Indirect Aggression and Loneliness for Emerging Adults: What Does Interpersonal Competence Have to Do with Wellbeing?

Abstract

The present study investigated the mediating role of interpersonal competence in the relationship between indirect aggression and loneliness for emerging adults. One hundred and sixty-seven Canadian undergraduate students aged 18-25 participated and completed an anonymous, online survey. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the mediating role of interpersonal competence in the relationship between indirect aggression and loneliness. The findings revealed that interpersonal competence mediated the relationship between indirect aggression for targets and loneliness. These findings have implications for mental health researchers and practitioners and can inform the development of prevention and intervention programs for young adults dealing with indirect aggression. Keywords: indirect aggression, emerging adults, interpersonal competence, loneliness, psychosocial functioning La presente etude porte sur le role de mediation de la competence interpersonnelle dans le lien entre l’agression indirecte et le sentiment de solitude chez les adultes emergents. Cent soixante-sept etudiants canadiens de premier cycle et âges de 18 a 25 ans ont complete un sondage anonyme en ligne. Nous avons eu recours a la modelisation par equation structurelle pour analyser le role de mediation de la competence interpersonnelle dans le lien entre l’agression indirecte et le sentiment de solitude. Les resultats indiquent que la competence interpersonnelle joue un role de mediation dans le lien entre l’agression indirecte et le sentiment de solitude. Ces resultats ont des implications pour les chercheurs et les praticiens en sante mentale et ils peuvent contribuer a l’elaboration de programmes de prevention et d’intervention visant les jeunes adultes aux prises avec l’agression indirecte. Mots cles : agression indirecte; adultes emergents; competence interpersonnelle; sentiment de solitude; fonctionnement psychosocial