Upward Social Comparison And Aggression:A Test Of Moderated Mediating Model

University campus violence has occurred frequently in recent years,which has brought great influence and harm to individuals,families and society.Therefore,college students' aggression has become a hot issue in academic research.Previous studies have shown that both upward social comparison and envy can positively predict individuals' aggression,while self-esteem can negatively predict individuals' aggression.However,few scholars have studied the reciprocal action of upward social comparison,envy and self-esteem on individuals' aggression.Based on previous studies,this study established a mediating model with moderation to explore its internal logical relationship between upward social comparison,envy,self-esteem and aggression of college students.The purpose of this study is to explore the internal logical relationship between upward social comparison,envy,self-esteem and aggression of college students,and to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and intervention of aggression.so as to promote the healthy growth and development of college students and maintain the peace and harmony of the university campus.The author investigated 907 college students who are randomly selected by using the Upward Social Comparison Scale,Buss &Perry Aggression Questionnaire,the Envy Scale and the Self-Esteem Scale.The results show that:The upward social comparison is positively correlated with aggression(r=0.28,p < 0.01)and envy(r=0.30,p < 0.01)of college students,and negatively correlated with self-esteem(r=-0.13,p<0.01).Envy is positively correlated with aggression(r=0.56,p < 0.01)and negatively correlated with self-esteem(r=-0.60,p < 0.01).There is a significantly negative correlation between self-esteem and aggression(r=-0.39,p < 0.01).The upward social comparison can significantly predict the aggression(t=7.60,p < 0.001)and envytendency(t=8.77,p < 0.001)of college students.When envy was added into the model as an mediating variable,it could significantly positive predict college students' aggression(t=16.96,p < 0.001),and its indirect effect value was 0.10,while upward social comparison still plays an extremely significant role in predicting college students' aggression(t=3.81,p < 0.001).After self-esteem was added into the model as a moderator,the interaction between upward social comparison and self-esteem could significantly negative predict college students' aggression(t=-2.27,p < 0.05)and envy tendency(t=-2.08,p < 0.05),while the interaction between envy and self-esteem has no significantly predictive effect on college students' aggression(t=1.81,p > 0.05).Conclusion:(1)The upward social comparison of college students not only directly influences their aggression,but also indirectly influences their aggression through envy;(2)As the level of individuals' self-esteem decreases,the predictive effect of upward social comparison on envy and aggression gradually increases.