Mediation of hostility and anger in the association between shame proneness and aggression

Objective To explore the relationship among shame proneness,hostility,anger,and aggressive behavior and to provide basis for mental health research of middle school students.Methods A total of 851 students were investigated by Middle School Students' Shame Scale and Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire.Results Shame proneness,physical aggression and verbal aggression among middle school students showed significant gender and grade differences(t=7.04,6.87,2.98,P<0.05),with boys scored higher than girls(positive interactions were found in shame proneness,hostility,anger and aggressive behavior).Shame proneness has both direct indirect effects on aggression via the hostility and anger(x2/df=4.11,CFI=0.901,TLI=0.907,RMSEA =0.047,SRMR =0.054).Conclusion Shame proneness,hostility,anger and aggressive behavior interacts with each other among middle school students.Hostility and anger mediates the association between shame proneness and aggression.