Relational aggression refers to non-physical behaviors that harm others by damage or threat of damage to peer relationships, either directly or indirectly. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the primary potential internal factors that are related to relational aggression in children and adolescents. Based on the results of the twin studies, circadian rhythms investigation, and survey study, it is suggested that children and adolescents may act more or less innately aggressive. A high percentage of children and adolescents involved in relational aggression behavior express a belief that they have a common and natural tendency. Emotions may underlie children’s desire or need to use social aggression by either promoting or inhibiting aggression. Anger, envy/jealousy drive and encourage children’s aggressive impulses; on the other hand, empathy works on aggressive behaviors in the opposite way by decreasing the probability of aggression. Social cognition including hostile attribution, positively biased self-perception, social intelligence is related to relational aggression: relationally aggressive children hold significantly more hostile attributions for relational provocation than do non-aggressive children; positively biased self-perception (i.e., the level of perceived peer acceptance is higher than the level of actual peer acceptance) is linked positively with relational aggression. The more a child uses relational/indirect aggression, the higher the individual’s level of social intelligence. Emphasizing the internal factor related to relational aggression will call for more attention to broader and deeper investigation of the cause of relational aggression.

 

Key words: Relational aggression, internal factor, children, adolescence.