Research Article

Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students

Volume: 15 Number: 79 December 29, 2025
EN

Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between self-worth contingencies and aggression among 958 university students across four faculties in a university of Turkey, using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale. Employing a Structural Equation Model and lavaan package in R, significant links were found between self-worth aspects and different forms of aggression. The results indicated that the following effects were statistically significant: The effects of virtue and physical appearance on physical aggression; competition and God’s love on verbal aggression; competition, approval from others, physical appearance, and school competence on hostility; and competition and family support on anger. It was found that the higher the physical appearance factor, the higher the level of physical aggression and hostility. As the level of virtue increases, the level of physical aggression decreases. Verbal aggression and anger levels increase as the competition factor increases; however, the level of hostility decreases. The higher God’s love, the lower the level of verbal aggression. The higher the factor of others’ approval, the higher the level of hostility. The higher the academic competence needs for self-worth, the higher the level of hostility. As the family support factor increases, the anger level decreases. Based on these results, it was concluded that contingencies of self-worth are important factors in determining aggression tendencies.

Keywords

References

  1. Amad, S., Gray, N. S., & Snowden, R. J. (2021). Self-esteem, narcissism, and aggression: Different types of self-esteem predict different types of aggression. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(23-24), NP13296-NP13313. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520905540
  2. Anderson, C. A., Anderson, K. B., & Deuser, W. E. (1996). Examining an affective aggression framework: Weapon and temperature effects on aggressive thoughts, affect, and attitudes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22(4), 366-376. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167296224004
  3. Archer, J. (2004). Sex differences in aggression in real-world settings: A meta-analytic review. Review of General Psychology, 8(4), 291-322. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.8.4.291
  4. Averill, J. R. (2012). Anger. In Ramachandran, V.S. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior: Second edition (pp. 137-144). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375000-6.00023-9
  5. Bai, F. (2017). Beyond dominance and competence: A moral virtue theory of status attainment. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 21(3), 203-227. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868316649297
  6. Barnett, M. D., & Powell, H. A. (2016). Self-esteem mediates narcissism and aggression among women, but not men: A comparison of two theoretical models of narcissism among college students. Personality and Individual Differences, 89, 100-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.09.042
  7. Barry, C. T., McDougall, K. H., Anderson, A. C., & Bindon, A. L. (2018). Global and contingent self-esteem as moderators in the relations between adolescent narcissism, callous-unemotional traits, and aggression. Personality and Individual Differences, 123, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.036
  8. Baumeister, R. F., Tice, D. M., & Hutton, D. G. (1989). Self‐presentational motivations and personality differences in self‐esteem. Journal of Personality, 57(3), 547-579. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1989.tb02384.x

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

School Counseling

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

November 4, 2024

Acceptance Date

February 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 15 Number: 79

APA
Temli, D. G., & Şanlı, E. (2025). Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 15(79), 854-871. https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1579191
AMA
1.Temli DG, Şanlı E. Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal. 2025;15(79):854-871. doi:10.17066/tpdrd.1579191
Chicago
Temli, Doğan Güneş, and Esat Şanlı. 2025. “Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students”. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal 15 (79): 854-71. https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1579191.
EndNote
Temli DG, Şanlı E (December 1, 2025) Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal 15 79 854–871.
IEEE
[1]D. G. Temli and E. Şanlı, “Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students”, Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, vol. 15, no. 79, pp. 854–871, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.17066/tpdrd.1579191.
ISNAD
Temli, Doğan Güneş - Şanlı, Esat. “Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students”. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal 15/79 (December 1, 2025): 854-871. https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1579191.
JAMA
1.Temli DG, Şanlı E. Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal. 2025;15:854–871.
MLA
Temli, Doğan Güneş, and Esat Şanlı. “Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students”. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, vol. 15, no. 79, Dec. 2025, pp. 854-71, doi:10.17066/tpdrd.1579191.
Vancouver
1.Doğan Güneş Temli, Esat Şanlı. Investigation of the Relationships Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aggression Tendencies of University Students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal. 2025 Dec. 1;15(79):854-71. doi:10.17066/tpdrd.1579191

!! From 30 November 2023, English language proofreading will be required for accepted articles to ensure language quality.