How Interpersonal Sensitivity Relates to Social Aggression: An Analysis Through the Lens of the General Aggression Model

How Interpersonal Sensitivity Relates to Social Aggression: An Analysis Through the Lens of the General Aggression Model | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article How Interpersonal Sensitivity Relates to Social Aggression: An Analysis Through the Lens of the General Aggression Model Xia Dong, Yu Feng, Wenxin Chen, Kun Yu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7272032/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Interpersonal sensitivity appears to be a contributing factor to social aggression; however, the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and social aggression, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains insufficiently explored. Drawing on the General Aggression Model, this study investigates the association between interpersonal sensitivity and social aggression, focusing on the mediating roles of perceived social support and envy. Methods A total of 710 young adults ( M age = 18.57, SD = .78; 30.85% males) completed questionnaires assessing interpersonal sensitivity, social aggression, perceived social support, and envy. Results Structural equation modeling revealed a significant positive association between interpersonal sensitivity and social aggression. Mediation analysis demonstrated that envy partially mediates this relationship. Moreover, a sequential mediation effect was identified, whereby interpersonal sensitivity decreases perceived social support, which in turn elevates envy and ultimately increases social aggression. Gender differences indicated that men with higher interpersonal sensitivity are more susceptible to envy, whereas females with lower sensitivity tend to perceive greater social support. Conclusions These findings offer empirical validation for the General Aggression Model and underscore the critical roles of interpersonal sensitivity and envy in influencing social aggression. The study also provides practical insights for mitigating social aggression among young adults by addressing interpersonal sensitivity, fostering social support, and managing envy. interpersonal sensitivity social aggression perceived social support envy General Aggression Model Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Social aggression (SA) is a distinct form of antisocial behavior, commonly defined as the act of causing harm by manipulating or undermining the social relationships of the target [ 1 ]. It is also referred to as indirect aggression or relational aggression [ 2 ]. SA is primarily characterized by spreading rumors, excluding others, backbiting, and defaming behind their backs [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. This behavior not only inflicts significant negative consequences on the victim [ 5 ], but also contributes to social and psychological maladjustment in the aggressor themselves [ 6 ]. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence SA is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce its occurrence. According to the General Aggression Model (GAM) [ 7 ], individual input variables can trigger aggressive behavior, with personality traits representing a significant contributing factor. Interpersonal sensitivity (IS), a relatively stable personality trait, refers to the heightened awareness and reactivity to others’ behaviors and emotions [ 8 ], which may trigger SA. Guided by the GAM, this study explores the relationship between IS and SA, as well as the mechanism of their interaction. Theoretical Framework: GAM The GAM framework outlines three key components: inputs (person and situation), routes (cognition, affect, and arousal), and outcomes [ 7 ]. First, person factors refer to the enduring characteristics that people bring into a situation, including stable personality traits, whereas situational factors pertain to the features of the immediate environment [ 7 , 9 ]. In this study, IS, as a stable personality trait, predisposes people to interpret ambiguous social cues as hostile or rejecting. Situational triggers (e.g., perceived slights, exclusion, or criticism) may further intensify aggressive responses in people with high IS. Second, according to the GAM framework [ 10 ], aggression arises from the dynamic interplay among cognition, affect, and arousal. People with high IS develop negative cognitive schemas, leading them to preemptively interpret others’ actions as rejection or hostility. This cognitive bias results in misinterpreting neutral behaviors as intentional harm. Consequently, people with high IS are less likely to perceive social support, indicating that perceived social support (PSS) may serve as a mediator in the link between IS and SA. Over time, these people may rely on aggressive behavioral scripts—learned response patterns such as retaliation or ostracism [ 11 ]. Furthermore, when people perceive social threats, IS tends to elicit envy, a negative emotion that promotes reactive aggression (i.e., SA), implying that envy may also serve as a mediator in the IS–SA relationship. Finally, the outcome is manifested as SA, a learned behavioral response. Repeated hostile interpretations and negative emotional reactions further consolidate long-term aggressive tendencies. IS and SA IS is characterized by feelings of personal inadequacy, discomfort, and inferiority in social interactions, particularly when people compare themselves to others [ 12 , 13 ]. The core feature of IS is an excessive concern for others’ behaviors and emotions [ 14 ]. This trait makes people excessively sensitive to interpersonal relationships, especially to perceived criticism or rejection from others [ 8 ]. IS is often accompanied by limited self-awareness and a lack of confidence in social settings, which may lead to misinterpretations of others’ interpersonal behaviors [ 15 ]. Prior research has established a link between IS and aggression [ 16 ]. However, the relationship between IS and SA, particularly among college students, remains underexplored. This study focuses on young adults, particularly college students, as they are more inclined to engage in indirect forms of aggression-such as SA-to manage or alleviate negative emotions, in comparison to direct aggression [ 3 ]. Indirect aggression provides a relatively safer outlet for expressing negative emotions than engaging in direct confrontation [ 17 ]. According to GAM framework [ 7 ], IS (Individual Input System) acts as an individual input factor, particularly a relatively stable personality tendency. In social interactions, it is prone to misunderstand and hostility towards others’ interpersonal behaviors, which can trigger SA. Furthermore, existing research has indicated that in interpersonal interactions, rejection sensitivity can positively predict the interpersonal aggression in young adults [ 18 ]. Moreover, existing research supports the positive relationship between IS and aggression [ 19 ]. These studies indirectly support the positive relationship between IS and SA. Based on GAM and existing empirical research, this study proposes Hypothesis 1: There is a positive correlation between IS and SA. PSS as a Mediator According to the GAM framework [ 7 , 9 , 10 ], PSS represents a promising mediating mechanism between IS and SA. PSS refers to an individual’s subjective evaluation of the support received from interpersonal or intimate relationships, including family, peers, and significant others [ 20 ]. People with higher levels of IS often experience difficulties in perceiving social support [ 21 , 22 ]. This may be because people with high IS encounter challenges in utilizing available resources and adapting to their social environment, which limits their ability to access or recognize social support [ 21 ]. As a result, IS is negatively associated with PSS. Moreover, existing research supports a negative relationship between PSS and aggression [ 23 ]. Based on the GAM framework [ 7 , 10 ], people with high IS are more likely to develop negative cognitive schemas, which predispose them to interpret others’ behaviors as rejection or hostility. This cognitive bias may diminish their perception of social support, ultimately contributing to the emergence of SA. Thus, we propose Hypothesis 2: PSS mediates the link between IS and SA. Envy as a Mediator According to the GAM framework [ 7 , 9 ], envy functions as a key mediating mechanism between IS and SA. Envy is a painful and hostile emotion stemming from unfavorable social comparisons, typically triggered by others’ superior achievements, possessions, or status [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Within the GAM framework, the interaction between individual input variables and the affective pathway contributes to aggressive responses. When people engage in social comparisons, those with high IS traits experience discomfort in interpersonal interactions, which triggers feelings of inferiority and heightens their susceptibility to envy [ 28 ], ultimately leading to SA. Furthermore, existing research supports a positive association between envy and aggression [ 29 , 30 ] which further substantiates the link between envy and SA. Based on this evidence, the present research proposes Hypothesis 3: Envy mediates the relationship between IS and SA. Additionally, people with lower levels of PSS may experience heightened negative emotions [ 31 ], including envy [ 32 ]. This may occur because people with lower levels of social support are more hostile or sensitive during social comparisons, which facilitates the experience of envy [ 33 ]. Therefore, PSS is negatively associated with envy. Reduced social support may imply greater hostility and negative emotional reactivity (e.g., envy), increasing individuals’ vulnerability to SA. Consequently, people with high IS traits may perceive less social support, which intensifies their experience of envy and ultimately contributes to SA. Therefore, this research proposes Hypothesis 4: PSS and envy jointly form a chain mediation mechanism between IS and SA. Current Study Guided by the GAM framework, this research investigates the link between IS and SA among young adults, and the mediating roles of PSS and envy. Based on the aforementioned analysis, the following hypotheses are proposed: (1) IS is positively related to SA. (2) PSS mediates the link between IS and SA. (3) Envy mediates the link between IS and SA. (4) PSS and envy form a chain mediation mechanism between IS and SA. The proposed conceptual model is depicted in Fig. 1. Methods Participants and Procedures To ensure robust statistical validity, the research design requires a test power exceeding .80 [ 34 ]. However, this study employs a more stringent threshold of 0.95 for sample size estimation. The analysis was performed using G*Power 3.1, selecting the “bivariate normal model” option for correlation assessment. Parameters were configured as follows: significance level ( α ) = .05, effect size ( ρ ) = .15, and power ( 1-β ) = .95. The resulting computation indicated a minimum participant requirement of 314 participants to achieve adequate detection power. The study sample comprised 724 participants recruited through ‘Wenjuanxing’ ( https://www.wjx.cn/ ), an online survey platform, from universities in Wuhan, China. This sample size exceeded the minimum requirement of 314 participants. Following the exclusion of 14 participants who failed attention checks, the final analytic sample included 710 respondents (219 male, 30.85%; 491 female, 69.15%) aged 18–25 years ( M = 18.57, SD = .78). Prior to participation, all university students signed a digital informed consent form. The experimenter provided clear verbal and written instructions before data collection, and the entire procedure lasted around 10 minutes. Ethical approval for this research was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the host university. Measures The SCL-90 Interpersonal Sensitivity subscale (SCL-90-IS) [ 12 ] was employed to assess participants’ discomfort and inferiority in social interactions, particularly in comparative contexts. This subscale has demonstrated strong reliability in Chinese adult populations (Mi et al., 2005). All nine items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with the scale showing excellent reliability in our sample (Cronbach’s α = .91). Envy was assessed using the Dispositional Envy Scale [ 32 ], an 8-item measure (e.g., “I am troubled by feelings of inadequacy”) rated on a 5-point Likert scale, where higher scores indicate greater envy. We administered the Chinese adaptation by Xiang et al. [ 27 ], which has established validity in Chinese populations [ 35 , 36 ]. The scale demonstrated excellent reliability in our sample (Cronbach’s α = .94). The Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) [ 37 ] was employed to assess PSS across three domains: family, friends, and significant others (e.g., teachers, classmates, relatives). This 12-item instrument utilizes a 7-point Likert scale, with higher composite scores reflecting greater PSS. The Chinese adaptation has demonstrated strong psychometric properties in university populations [ 38 ] and exhibited excellent reliability in the current investigation (Cronbach’s α = .96). SA was measured using the Social Aggression Subscale of the Subtypes of Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire (STAB-SAS) [ 1 ]. Participants indicated their frequency of SA on a five-point Likert scale, where higher scores represent greater occurrence. The Chinese version of the STAB-SAS has shown good reliability and validity among college students, with Cronbach’s α of .93 in this research [ 3 ]. Data Analysis To address potential common method bias (CMB), we first conducted Harman’s single-factor test using SPSS 25.0. Subsequently, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the complex relationships among multiple latent constructs. Following Anderson and Gerbing’s [ 38 ] two-step approach, SEM analysis comprised: (a) a measurement model evaluating the relationships between latent variables and their indicators (equivalent to confirmatory factor analysis when analyzed separately) [ 39 , 40 ], and (b) a structural model specifying directional relationships among constructs (i.e., IS, PSS, envy, and SA). Consistent with established methods [ 41 ], composite scores were calculated for all study constructs. Following Little et al. [ 42 ], we used item parceling to create balanced indicators: IS and envy were each grouped into two parcels, and SA into three. The structural equation model was built after confirming acceptable measurement model fit, ensuring structural relationships were analyzed only after measurement validity was established [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Moreover, SEM was used to conduct multiple mediation analysis, allowing the simultaneous testing of multiple mediators [ 47 ]. Specifically, this method examined the mediating roles of PSS and envy in the relationship between IS and SA. The Bootstrap method [ 48 ] was applied to estimate multiple chain mediation effects. A bias-corrected percentile Bootstrap approach was used, with 5000 bootstrap samples randomly drawn from the original dataset ( N = 710). Then, we further employed SEM to perform multiple mediation analysis [ 47 ], which enabled simultaneous examination of both PSS and envy as mediators in the association between IS and SA. Following Cheung and Lau’s [ 48 ] recommendations, we implemented a bias-corrected bootstrap procedure with 5,000 resamples drawn from our complete dataset ( N = 710) to rigorously test the significance of the mediation pathways. Finally, gender differences were examined through a two-phase cross-gender stability analysis. First, independent samples t-tests compared gender means across all four latent variables, with effect sizes computed. Second, following Byrne’s [ 49 ] multigroup SEM approach, we evaluated measurement and structural invariance by comparing: (a) an unconstrained model with freely estimated parameters across genders, and (b) a constrained model with equalized path coefficients. Given the sensitivity of Δ χ ² difference tests to large samples, we employed Critical Ratios of Differences (CRD) [ 50 ], considering absolute values > 1.96 as statistically significant. Results CMB CMB was examined through Harman’s single-factor test [ 51 ]. Results showed five factors with eigenvalues > 1, with the first factor accounting for 37.42% of variance (< 40% threshold), suggesting no substantial CMB in our data. Measurement Model The measurement model comprised four latent constructs: IS, PSS, envy, and SA. The model demonstrated acceptable fit to the data ( χ 2 (29, 710) = 125.25, p < .001; SRMR = .03; CFI = .99; RMSEA = .07). As presented in Table 1 , all variables showed significant intercorrelations ( ps < .05). Table 1 Means, Standard Deviations, and correlations Variables M SD 1 2 3 1 IS 12.37 7.19 1.00 2 envy 15.61 6.51 .68 *** 1.00 3 PSS 60.82 14.60 − .38 *** − .34 *** 1.00 4 SA 20.26 7.48 .51 *** .56 *** − .25 *** Note. IS = interpersonal sensitivity, SA = social aggression, PSS = perceived social support, *** p < .001. Structure Model After controlling for gender and age, with PSS and envy excluded as mediators, IS positively predicted SA ( B = .498, p < .001). We first tested a hypothesized structural model ( Model 1 ; Fig. 2 ) which demonstrated acceptable fit to the data: χ 2 (59, 710) = 250.50, p < .001; CFI = .99; SRMR = .03; RMSEA = .05; AIC = 352.50; ECVI = .25). Consistent with Dong et al.’s [ 52 ] approach, we subsequently constrained the non-significant ‘PSS → SA’ path to zero, resulting in Model 2 . This revised model also showed good fit: χ 2 (60, 710) = 251.04, p < .001; CFI = .99; SRMR = .03; RMSEA = .05; AIC = 351.04; ECVI = .25. Results provided support for Hypothesis 1, revealing a significant positive association between IS and SA. Testing Mediating Variables The mediation analysis demonstrated that envy significantly mediated the IS-SA relationship (95% CIs [.143, .340], p < .001) (see Table 2 ), thereby supporting Hypothesis 3. While PSS failed to show a direct mediating effect (Hypothesis 2 not supported), the sequential pathway through “PSS → envy” revealed a significant chain mediation effect (95% CIs [.002, .024], p = .012), confirming Hypothesis 4. Table 2 Standardized indirect effects of 95% CIs. Pathways Estimate Lower Upper P IS → envy → SA .23 .143 .340 < .001 IS → PSS → envy → SA .11 .002 .024 .012 Note. IS = interpersonal sensitivity, SA = social aggression, PSS = perceived social support. Gender Differences An independent samples T -test was conducted, revealing significant gender differences in all variables (see Table 3 ).The cross-gender analysis indicated significant difference between the unconstrained and constrained models [Δ χ ² (10, 710) = 68.33, p < .001]. Both models met the fit criteria (see Table 4 ). Significant gender differences were found in the paths from IS to envy (CRD = − 2.88, β males = .77, p < 0.001, β females = .56, p < .001) and IS to PSS (CRD = − 2.30, β males = − .41, p < 0.001, β females = − .6 9, p < .001). No significant gender differences were observed in the remaining paths (CRD: IS → envy = .53; envy → SA = .30; IS → SA = − 1.79). Table 3 T -test outcomes Variables M males ± SD M females ±SD T P Cohen’s d 95%CIs Lower Upper 1 IS 13.11 ± 7.81 12.04 ± 6.88 1.84 .067 .15 − .074 2.215 2 envy 16.89 ± 7.73 15.04 ± 5.81 3.52 < .001 .27 .818 2.880 3 PSS 58.99 ± 16.47 61.63 ± 13.63 − 2.23 .026 − .17 − 4.962 − .315 4 SA 21.93 ± 9.98 19.51 ± 5.91 4.03 < .001 .30 1.241 3.604 Note. IS = interpersonal sensitivity, SA = social aggression, PSS = perceived social support. Table 4 Comparison of structural path models Structural Paths χ 2 df CFI SRMR RMSEA AIC ECVI Unconstrained structural paths 145.54 58 .99 .02 .05 249.54 .35 Constrained structural paths 389.51 84 .95 .03 .07 441.51 .62 Discussion This research represents the first exploration of the link between IS and SA among young adults, and the mediating mechanisms of PSS and envy with the GAM framework. The findings revealed several key insights. First, the results demonstrated a positive link between IS and SA. Second, mediation analysis indicated that envy serves as a mediating mechanism between IS and SA. Additionally, a chain mediation effect of ‘PSS → envy’ was identified between IS and SA. These findings provide empirical support for interventions targeting IS reduction, envy mitigation, and enhancement of PSS to decrease SA among young adults. IS and SA Both correlation analysis and structural equation modeling results confirmed a significant positive link between IS and SA, supporting Hypothesis 1 and the GAM framework. People with high IS tendencies are more likely to interpret others’ behaviors negatively, leading to SA. Furthermore, excessive IS has been associated with hostile and cruel tendencies [ 53 ]. Consequently, people with high IS may experience greater difficulty in accurately interpreting social cues, making them more prone to engage in SA. Mediation Mechanisms First, the results confirmed that envy mediates the relationship between IS and SA (supporting Hypothesis 3). People with high IS tendencies are more susceptible to experiencing envy, a negative emotion. To alleviate this distressing emotional state, they are more prone to resort to SA as a relatively covert form of aggression. This finding aligns with the GAM’s proposition that individual input variables trigger aggression via the affect route. Moreover, according to Festinger’s [ 54 ] social comparison theory, people who perceive themselves at a disadvantage in social comparisons often experience social discomfort and feelings of inferiority [ 55 ]. Therefore, people with IS tendencies are particularly vulnerable to developing envy - characterized by both inferiority and hostility - when facing unfavorable social comparisons. As envy intensifies, people are more prone to use SA to cope with the distress from these social comparisons. However, the final model in this study did not confirm the mediating mechanism of PSS between IS and SA, indicating that Hypothesis 2 was not supported. Instead, it revealed that PSS plays a crucial role through another significant pathway: IS → PSS → envy → SA (supporting Hypothesis 4). This suggests that people with IS tend to perceive lower social support, which increases envy and, in turn, triggers SA. In other words, PSS does not serve as a direct mediator between IS and SA. Although PSS is not directly related to SA, it influences SA by amplifying negative emotions. The negative correlation between IS and PSS aligns with previous research [ 56 ]. Gender Differences Based on the results of gender differences, males with higher IS demonstrated elevated levels of envy compared to females. Existing research has shown that among Chinese university students, males score higher on IS than females [ 57 ]. Additionally, when facing unfavorable social comparisons, males experience higher levels of envy than females [ 30 ]. Therefore, in interpersonal interactions, males with high IS are more prone to feelings of envy. In contrast, females with lower IS tend to perceive higher social support compared to males. Current research also supports that females report higher PSS than males [ 21 ]. Women often possess inherent advantages in social contexts, enabling them to establish strong relationships with family and friends, which facilitates easier access to social support [ 21 ]. Furthermore, women are more likely to proactively seek help and support, whereas men may prefer to solve problems independently [ 58 ]. Consequently, compared to males, females with lower IS are better able to perceive social support from family, friends, and other significant sources when encountering rejection or criticism in interpersonal interactions. Contribution This study significantly advances our understanding of the relationship between IS and SA by integrating the GAM framework and exploring the mediating roles of PSS and envy. Unlike prior research that primarily focused on direct aggression, this study highlights the affective and cognitive pathways by which IS predisposes people to SA, offering a nuanced view on the mechanisms underlying aggressive behaviors. First, the study extends the GAM framework by identifying IS as a critical input variable that interacts with situational factors to trigger aggression. The findings demonstrate that IS fosters negative affect (envy), which contributes to SA. Second, the chain mediation effect of ‘PSS → envy’ further elucidates how social resources influence emotional responses, providing actionable insights for interventions aimed at reducing aggression. These findings contribute to the development of targeted strategies for addressing aggression in diverse populations. Limitations First, the cross-sectional design of the study precludes causal inferences. Future research should adopt longitudinal or experimental approaches to establish temporal relationships and confirm causality. Second, the sample was restricted to Chinese university students, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future studies should incorporate diverse populations to enhance the applicability of results across various cultural and age groups. Third, envy was assessed at the trait level. Future research could explore state-level envy, which is shaped by situational factors such as deservingness and control potential [ 59 ], to better capture dynamic emotional responses. Conclusions This study, grounded in the GAM framework, represents the first systematic investigation into the relationship between IS and SA, and the mediating effects of PSS and envy. The results indicate a statistically significant positive association between IS and SA. Furthermore, envy was found to partially mediate the link between IS and SA. Additionally, IS was shown to heighten envy by diminishing PSS, which in turn contributes to the development of SA. These findings suggest that, among young adults, mitigating SA may be achieved through interventions targeting reductions in IS and envy, alongside efforts to enhance PSS. Declarations Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Conflicts of Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. Authors’ Contributions Xia Dong: Study designing, Data collection and analysis, Paper revising. Yu Feng: Paper revising, Project administration; Funding acquisition. Wenxin Chen: Data collection Kun Yu: Data collection Ethics Approval This paper was approved by the ethics committee of Shaoxing university. And all procedures were followed in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation [institutional and national] and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. 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Int J Testing. 2001;1:55-86. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327574IJT0101_4 Hu LT, Bentler PM. Cut points for ft indices in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct Equ Modeling. 1999;1:130-149. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118 La R, Cheung GW. Estimating and comparing speciffc mediation effects in complex latent variable models. Organ Res Methods. 2012;15(1):3-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428110391673 Cheung GW, Lau RS. Testing mediation and suppression effects of latent variables bootstrapping with structural equation models. Organ Res Methods. 2008;11(2):296-325. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428107300343 Byrne BM. Structural equation modeling with AMOS: basic concepts, applications, and programming. London: Routledge; 2009. Arbuckle JL. AMOS 5.0 update to the AMOS user’s guide. Chicago, IL: Smallwaters. 2003. Podsakoff PM, Mackenzie SB, Lee JY, Podsakoff NP. Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. J Appl Psychol. 2003;88(5): 879-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879 Dong X, Geng LN. The role of mindfulness and meaning in life in adolescents’ dispositional awe and life satisfaction: The broaden-and-build theory perspective. Curr Psychol. 2022;43(33):28911-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03924-z Masillo A, Day F, Laing J, Howes O, Fusar-Poli P, Byrne M, et al. Interpersonal sensitivity in the at-risk mental state for psychosis. Psychol Med. 2019;42:1835–45. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291711002996 Festinger L. A theory of social comparison processes. Hum Relat. 1954;7(2):117-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202 Ma L, Li X, Xiang, Y. More envy, more loneliness? not only that: A longitudinal study and daily diary study. J Gen Psychol. 2025;152(2):151-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.2024.2331137 Li Q, Sun Q, Liu Y. Examining the relationship between trait interpersonal sensitivity and loneliness: A serial mediation model. Soc Behav Pers. 2021;49(8):1-11. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.10111 Liu X, Wang Z, Zhang C, Xu J, Shen Z, Peng L, Mi Y, Xu H. Psychological Capital and Its Factors as Mediators Between Interpersonal Sensitivity and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Undergraduates. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2024;17:429-41. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S452993 Neff LA, Karney BR. Gender differences in social support: a question of skill or responsiveness? J Pers Soc Psychol. 2005;88(1):79-90. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.88.1.79 Lange J, Weidman AC, Crusius J. The painful duality of envy: evidence for an integrative theory and a meta-analysis on the relation of envy and schadenfreude. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2018;114:572-98. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000118 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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16:19:07","extension":"html","order_by":8,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":145569,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7272032/v1/e6e1e98c79a65dd774ad87a0.html"},{"id":92014616,"identity":"114eb31b-80ff-46e9-95bb-2bc8b1214cab","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-23 16:19:06","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":50594,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7272032/v1/9c4a325f020ffc3044a1d94e.png"},{"id":92014617,"identity":"5b37fab7-c587-4e13-8409-476ca0a62705","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-23 16:19:06","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":78242,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSee image above for figure legend.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7272032/v1/f3ec1864844ab83ce29f075b.png"},{"id":92016936,"identity":"db6166c9-e45a-43b2-ab97-3e9acfa3be78","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-23 16:43:07","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":897617,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7272032/v1/9d28a06f-d68b-41cf-8f13-aff0f9bc8ee0.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"How Interpersonal Sensitivity Relates to Social Aggression: An Analysis Through the Lens of the General Aggression Model","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eSocial aggression (SA) is a distinct form of antisocial behavior, commonly defined as the act of causing harm by manipulating or undermining the social relationships of the target [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. It is also referred to as indirect aggression or relational aggression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. SA is primarily characterized by spreading rumors, excluding others, backbiting, and defaming behind their backs [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. This behavior not only inflicts significant negative consequences on the victim [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e], but also contributes to social and psychological maladjustment in the aggressor themselves [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence SA is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce its occurrence.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the General Aggression Model (GAM) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e], individual input variables can trigger aggressive behavior, with personality traits representing a significant contributing factor. Interpersonal sensitivity (IS), a relatively stable personality trait, refers to the heightened awareness and reactivity to others\u0026rsquo; behaviors and emotions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e], which may trigger SA. Guided by the GAM, this study explores the relationship between IS and SA, as well as the mechanism of their interaction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTheoretical Framework: GAM\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe GAM framework outlines three key components: inputs (person and situation), routes (cognition, affect, and arousal), and outcomes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. First, person factors refer to the enduring characteristics that people bring into a situation, including stable personality traits, whereas situational factors pertain to the features of the immediate environment [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. In this study, IS, as a stable personality trait, predisposes people to interpret ambiguous social cues as hostile or rejecting. Situational triggers (e.g., perceived slights, exclusion, or criticism) may further intensify aggressive responses in people with high IS.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSecond, according to the GAM framework [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], aggression arises from the dynamic interplay among cognition, affect, and arousal. People with high IS develop negative cognitive schemas, leading them to preemptively interpret others\u0026rsquo; actions as rejection or hostility. This cognitive bias results in misinterpreting neutral behaviors as intentional harm. Consequently, people with high IS are less likely to perceive social support, indicating that perceived social support (PSS) may serve as a mediator in the link between IS and SA. Over time, these people may rely on aggressive behavioral scripts\u0026mdash;learned response patterns such as retaliation or ostracism [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, when people perceive social threats, IS tends to elicit envy, a negative emotion that promotes reactive aggression (i.e., SA), implying that envy may also serve as a mediator in the IS\u0026ndash;SA relationship. Finally, the outcome is manifested as SA, a learned behavioral response. Repeated hostile interpretations and negative emotional reactions further consolidate long-term aggressive tendencies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIS and SA\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIS is characterized by feelings of personal inadequacy, discomfort, and inferiority in social interactions, particularly when people compare themselves to others [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. The core feature of IS is an excessive concern for others\u0026rsquo; behaviors and emotions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. This trait makes people excessively sensitive to interpersonal relationships, especially to perceived criticism or rejection from others [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. IS is often accompanied by limited self-awareness and a lack of confidence in social settings, which may lead to misinterpretations of others\u0026rsquo; interpersonal behaviors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Prior research has established a link between IS and aggression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. However, the relationship between IS and SA, particularly among college students, remains underexplored. This study focuses on young adults, particularly college students, as they are more inclined to engage in indirect forms of aggression-such as SA-to manage or alleviate negative emotions, in comparison to direct aggression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Indirect aggression provides a relatively safer outlet for expressing negative emotions than engaging in direct confrontation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to GAM framework [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e], IS (Individual Input System) acts as an individual input factor, particularly a relatively stable personality tendency. In social interactions, it is prone to misunderstand and hostility towards others\u0026rsquo; interpersonal behaviors, which can trigger SA. Furthermore, existing research has indicated that in interpersonal interactions, rejection sensitivity can positively predict the interpersonal aggression in young adults [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, existing research supports the positive relationship between IS and aggression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. These studies indirectly support the positive relationship between IS and SA. Based on GAM and existing empirical research, this study proposes Hypothesis 1: There is a positive correlation between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePSS as a Mediator\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the GAM framework [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], PSS represents a promising mediating mechanism between IS and SA. PSS refers to an individual\u0026rsquo;s subjective evaluation of the support received from interpersonal or intimate relationships, including family, peers, and significant others [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. People with higher levels of IS often experience difficulties in perceiving social support [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. This may be because people with high IS encounter challenges in utilizing available resources and adapting to their social environment, which limits their ability to access or recognize social support [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. As a result, IS is negatively associated with PSS.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, existing research supports a negative relationship between PSS and aggression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Based on the GAM framework [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], people with high IS are more likely to develop negative cognitive schemas, which predispose them to interpret others\u0026rsquo; behaviors as rejection or hostility. This cognitive bias may diminish their perception of social support, ultimately contributing to the emergence of SA. Thus, we propose Hypothesis 2: PSS mediates the link between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEnvy as a Mediator\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the GAM framework [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e], envy functions as a key mediating mechanism between IS and SA. Envy is a painful and hostile emotion stemming from unfavorable social comparisons, typically triggered by others\u0026rsquo; superior achievements, possessions, or status [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. Within the GAM framework, the interaction between individual input variables and the affective pathway contributes to aggressive responses. When people engage in social comparisons, those with high IS traits experience discomfort in interpersonal interactions, which triggers feelings of inferiority and heightens their susceptibility to envy [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e], ultimately leading to SA. Furthermore, existing research supports a positive association between envy and aggression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e] which further substantiates the link between envy and SA. Based on this evidence, the present research proposes Hypothesis 3: Envy mediates the relationship between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, people with lower levels of PSS may experience heightened negative emotions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e], including envy [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. This may occur because people with lower levels of social support are more hostile or sensitive during social comparisons, which facilitates the experience of envy [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, PSS is negatively associated with envy. Reduced social support may imply greater hostility and negative emotional reactivity (e.g., envy), increasing individuals\u0026rsquo; vulnerability to SA. Consequently, people with high IS traits may perceive less social support, which intensifies their experience of envy and ultimately contributes to SA. Therefore, this research proposes Hypothesis 4: PSS and envy jointly form a chain mediation mechanism between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCurrent Study\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided by the GAM framework, this research investigates the link between IS and SA among young adults, and the mediating roles of PSS and envy. Based on the aforementioned analysis, the following hypotheses are proposed:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1) IS is positively related to SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2) PSS mediates the link between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(3) Envy mediates the link between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4) PSS and envy form a chain mediation mechanism between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe proposed conceptual model is depicted in \u003cb\u003eFig.\u0026nbsp;1.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eParticipants and Procedures\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo ensure robust statistical validity, the research design requires a test power exceeding .80 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. However, this study employs a more stringent threshold of 0.95 for sample size estimation. The analysis was performed using G*Power 3.1, selecting the \u0026ldquo;bivariate normal model\u0026rdquo; option for correlation assessment. Parameters were configured as follows: significance level (\u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05, effect size (\u003cem\u003eρ\u003c/em\u003e)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.15, and power (\u003cem\u003e1-β\u003c/em\u003e)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.95. The resulting computation indicated a minimum participant requirement of 314 participants to achieve adequate detection power. The study sample comprised 724 participants recruited through \u0026lsquo;Wenjuanxing\u0026rsquo; (\u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.wjx.cn/\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.wjx.cn/\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e), an online survey platform, from universities in Wuhan, China. This sample size exceeded the minimum requirement of 314 participants. Following the exclusion of 14 participants who failed attention checks, the final analytic sample included 710 respondents (219 male, 30.85%; 491 female, 69.15%) aged 18\u0026ndash;25 years (\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18.57, \u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.78). Prior to participation, all university students signed a digital informed consent form. The experimenter provided clear verbal and written instructions before data collection, and the entire procedure lasted around 10 minutes. Ethical approval for this research was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the host university.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasures\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SCL-90 Interpersonal Sensitivity subscale (SCL-90-IS) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e] was employed to assess participants\u0026rsquo; discomfort and inferiority in social interactions, particularly in comparative contexts. This subscale has demonstrated strong reliability in Chinese adult populations (Mi et al., 2005). All nine items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with the scale showing excellent reliability in our sample (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.91).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEnvy was assessed using the Dispositional Envy Scale [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e], an 8-item measure (e.g., \u0026ldquo;I am troubled by feelings of inadequacy\u0026rdquo;) rated on a 5-point Likert scale, where higher scores indicate greater envy. We administered the Chinese adaptation by Xiang et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e], which has established validity in Chinese populations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. The scale demonstrated excellent reliability in our sample (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.94).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e] was employed to assess PSS across three domains: family, friends, and significant others (e.g., teachers, classmates, relatives). This 12-item instrument utilizes a 7-point Likert scale, with higher composite scores reflecting greater PSS. The Chinese adaptation has demonstrated strong psychometric properties in university populations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e] and exhibited excellent reliability in the current investigation (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.96).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSA was measured using the Social Aggression Subscale of the Subtypes of Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire (STAB-SAS) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Participants indicated their frequency of SA on a five-point Likert scale, where higher scores represent greater occurrence. The Chinese version of the STAB-SAS has shown good reliability and validity among college students, with Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e of .93 in this research [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo address potential common method bias (CMB), we first conducted Harman\u0026rsquo;s single-factor test using SPSS 25.0. Subsequently, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the complex relationships among multiple latent constructs. Following Anderson and Gerbing\u0026rsquo;s [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e] two-step approach, SEM analysis comprised: (a) a measurement model evaluating the relationships between latent variables and their indicators (equivalent to confirmatory factor analysis when analyzed separately) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e], and (b) a structural model specifying directional relationships among constructs (i.e., IS, PSS, envy, and SA). Consistent with established methods [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e], composite scores were calculated for all study constructs. Following Little et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e], we used item parceling to create balanced indicators: IS and envy were each grouped into two parcels, and SA into three. The structural equation model was built after confirming acceptable measurement model fit, ensuring structural relationships were analyzed only after measurement validity was established [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, SEM was used to conduct multiple mediation analysis, allowing the simultaneous testing of multiple mediators [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e]. Specifically, this method examined the mediating roles of PSS and envy in the relationship between IS and SA. The Bootstrap method [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e] was applied to estimate multiple chain mediation effects. A bias-corrected percentile Bootstrap approach was used, with 5000 bootstrap samples randomly drawn from the original dataset (\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;710).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThen, we further employed SEM to perform multiple mediation analysis [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e], which enabled simultaneous examination of both PSS and envy as mediators in the association between IS and SA. Following Cheung and Lau\u0026rsquo;s [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e] recommendations, we implemented a bias-corrected bootstrap procedure with 5,000 resamples drawn from our complete dataset (\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;710) to rigorously test the significance of the mediation pathways.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, gender differences were examined through a two-phase cross-gender stability analysis. First, independent samples t-tests compared gender means across all four latent variables, with effect sizes computed. Second, following Byrne\u0026rsquo;s [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e] multigroup SEM approach, we evaluated measurement and structural invariance by comparing: (a) an unconstrained model with freely estimated parameters across genders, and (b) a constrained model with equalized path coefficients. Given the sensitivity of Δ\u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u0026sup2; difference tests to large samples, we employed Critical Ratios of Differences (CRD) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e], considering absolute values\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1.96 as statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCMB\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCMB was examined through Harman\u0026rsquo;s single-factor test [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e51\u003c/span\u003e]. Results showed five factors with eigenvalues\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1, with the first factor accounting for 37.42% of variance (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;40% threshold), suggesting no substantial CMB in our data.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMeasurement Model\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe measurement model comprised four latent constructs: IS, PSS, envy, and SA. The model demonstrated acceptable fit to the data (\u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e \u003csub\u003e(29, 710)\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;125.25, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001; SRMR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.03; CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.99; RMSEA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.07). As presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, all variables showed significant intercorrelations (\u003cem\u003eps\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeans, Standard Deviations, and correlations\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 IS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 envy\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.68\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 PSS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.38\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.34\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 SA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.51\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.56\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.25\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote.\u003c/em\u003e IS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;interpersonal sensitivity, SA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;social aggression, PSS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;perceived social support, \u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStructure Model\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter controlling for gender and age, with PSS and envy excluded as mediators, IS positively predicted SA (\u003cem\u003eB\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.498, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). We first tested a hypothesized structural model (\u003cb\u003eModel 1\u003c/b\u003e; \u003cb\u003eFig.\u0026nbsp;2\u003c/b\u003e) which demonstrated acceptable fit to the data: \u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e \u003csub\u003e(59, 710)\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;250.50, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001; CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.99; SRMR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.03; RMSEA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05; AIC\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;352.50; ECVI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.25). Consistent with Dong et al.\u0026rsquo;s [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e52\u003c/span\u003e] approach, we subsequently constrained the non-significant \u0026lsquo;PSS \u0026rarr; SA\u0026rsquo; path to zero, resulting in \u003cb\u003eModel 2\u003c/b\u003e. This revised model also showed good fit: \u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e \u003csub\u003e(60, 710)\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;251.04, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001; CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.99; SRMR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.03; RMSEA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05; AIC\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;351.04; ECVI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.25. Results provided support for Hypothesis 1, revealing a significant positive association between IS and SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTesting Mediating Variables\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mediation analysis demonstrated that envy significantly mediated the IS-SA relationship (95% CIs [.143, .340], \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001) (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), thereby supporting Hypothesis 3. While PSS failed to show a direct mediating effect (Hypothesis 2 not supported), the sequential pathway through \u0026ldquo;PSS \u0026rarr; envy\u0026rdquo; revealed a significant chain mediation effect (95% CIs [.002, .024], \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.012), confirming Hypothesis 4.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStandardized indirect effects of 95% CIs.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePathways\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEstimate\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIS \u0026rarr; envy \u0026rarr; SA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.143\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.340\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIS \u0026rarr; PSS \u0026rarr; envy \u0026rarr; SA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.002\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.012\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote.\u003c/em\u003e IS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;interpersonal sensitivity, SA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;social aggression, PSS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;perceived social support.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGender Differences\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn independent samples \u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e-test was conducted, revealing significant gender differences in all variables (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).The cross-gender analysis indicated significant difference between the unconstrained and constrained models [Δ\u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u0026sup2; \u003csub\u003e(10, 710)\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;68.33, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001]. Both models met the fit criteria (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Significant gender differences were found in the paths from IS to envy (CRD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2.88, \u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003emales\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.77, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001, \u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003efemales\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cem\u003e=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.56, \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001) and IS to PSS (CRD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2.30, \u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003emales\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.41, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001, \u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003efemales\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cem\u003e=\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.6\u003c/em\u003e9, \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001). No significant gender differences were observed in the remaining paths (CRD: IS \u0026rarr; envy\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.53; envy \u0026rarr; SA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.30; IS \u0026rarr; SA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1.79).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e-test outcomes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM \u003csub\u003emales\u003c/sub\u003e \u0026plusmn; SD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM \u003csub\u003efemales\u003c/sub\u003e \u0026plusmn;SD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCohen\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003ed\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95%CIs\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 IS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.067\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.074\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.215\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 envy\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.818\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.880\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 PSS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;16.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.026\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4.962\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.315\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 SA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.241\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.604\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote.\u003c/em\u003e IS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;interpersonal sensitivity, SA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;social aggression, PSS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;perceived social support.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eComparison of structural path models\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStructural Paths\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eχ\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003edf\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCFI\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSRMR\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRMSEA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAIC\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eECVI\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnconstrained structural paths\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e145.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e249.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eConstrained structural paths\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e389.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e441.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis research represents the first exploration of the link between IS and SA among young adults, and the mediating mechanisms of PSS and envy with the GAM framework. The findings revealed several key insights. First, the results demonstrated a positive link between IS and SA. Second, mediation analysis indicated that envy serves as a mediating mechanism between IS and SA. Additionally, a chain mediation effect of \u0026lsquo;PSS \u0026rarr; envy\u0026rsquo; was identified between IS and SA. These findings provide empirical support for interventions targeting IS reduction, envy mitigation, and enhancement of PSS to decrease SA among young adults.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIS and SA\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth correlation analysis and structural equation modeling results confirmed a significant positive link between IS and SA, supporting Hypothesis 1 and the GAM framework. People with high IS tendencies are more likely to interpret others\u0026rsquo; behaviors negatively, leading to SA. Furthermore, excessive IS has been associated with hostile and cruel tendencies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e53\u003c/span\u003e]. Consequently, people with high IS may experience greater difficulty in accurately interpreting social cues, making them more prone to engage in SA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMediation Mechanisms\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst, the results confirmed that envy mediates the relationship between IS and SA (supporting Hypothesis 3). People with high IS tendencies are more susceptible to experiencing envy, a negative emotion. To alleviate this distressing emotional state, they are more prone to resort to SA as a relatively covert form of aggression. This finding aligns with the GAM\u0026rsquo;s proposition that individual input variables trigger aggression via the affect route.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, according to Festinger\u0026rsquo;s [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e54\u003c/span\u003e] social comparison theory, people who perceive themselves at a disadvantage in social comparisons often experience social discomfort and feelings of inferiority [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e55\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, people with IS tendencies are particularly vulnerable to developing envy - characterized by both inferiority and hostility - when facing unfavorable social comparisons. As envy intensifies, people are more prone to use SA to cope with the distress from these social comparisons.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, the final model in this study did not confirm the mediating mechanism of PSS between IS and SA, indicating that Hypothesis 2 was not supported. Instead, it revealed that PSS plays a crucial role through another significant pathway: IS \u0026rarr; PSS \u0026rarr; envy \u0026rarr; SA (supporting Hypothesis 4). This suggests that people with IS tend to perceive lower social support, which increases envy and, in turn, triggers SA. In other words, PSS does not serve as a direct mediator between IS and SA. Although PSS is not directly related to SA, it influences SA by amplifying negative emotions. The negative correlation between IS and PSS aligns with previous research [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e56\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGender Differences\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the results of gender differences, males with higher IS demonstrated elevated levels of envy compared to females. Existing research has shown that among Chinese university students, males score higher on IS than females [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e57\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, when facing unfavorable social comparisons, males experience higher levels of envy than females [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, in interpersonal interactions, males with high IS are more prone to feelings of envy.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn contrast, females with lower IS tend to perceive higher social support compared to males. Current research also supports that females report higher PSS than males [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Women often possess inherent advantages in social contexts, enabling them to establish strong relationships with family and friends, which facilitates easier access to social support [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, women are more likely to proactively seek help and support, whereas men may prefer to solve problems independently [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e58\u003c/span\u003e]. Consequently, compared to males, females with lower IS are better able to perceive social support from family, friends, and other significant sources when encountering rejection or criticism in interpersonal interactions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eContribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study significantly advances our understanding of the relationship between IS and SA by integrating the GAM framework and exploring the mediating roles of PSS and envy. Unlike prior research that primarily focused on direct aggression, this study highlights the affective and cognitive pathways by which IS predisposes people to SA, offering a nuanced view on the mechanisms underlying aggressive behaviors. First, the study extends the GAM framework by identifying IS as a critical input variable that interacts with situational factors to trigger aggression. The findings demonstrate that IS fosters negative affect (envy), which contributes to SA. Second, the chain mediation effect of \u0026lsquo;PSS \u0026rarr; envy\u0026rsquo; further elucidates how social resources influence emotional responses, providing actionable insights for interventions aimed at reducing aggression. These findings contribute to the development of targeted strategies for addressing aggression in diverse populations.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLimitations\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst, the cross-sectional design of the study precludes causal inferences. Future research should adopt longitudinal or experimental approaches to establish temporal relationships and confirm causality. Second, the sample was restricted to Chinese university students, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future studies should incorporate diverse populations to enhance the applicability of results across various cultural and age groups. Third, envy was assessed at the trait level. Future research could explore state-level envy, which is shaped by situational factors such as deservingness and control potential [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e59\u003c/span\u003e], to better capture dynamic emotional responses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study, grounded in the GAM framework, represents the first systematic investigation into the relationship between IS and SA, and the mediating effects of PSS and envy. The results indicate a statistically significant positive association between IS and SA. Furthermore, envy was found to partially mediate the link between IS and SA. Additionally, IS was shown to heighten envy by diminishing PSS, which in turn contributes to the development of SA. These findings suggest that, among young adults, mitigating SA may be achieved through interventions targeting reductions in IS and envy, alongside efforts to enhance PSS.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of Interest\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXia Dong: Study designing, Data collection and analysis, Paper revising.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYu Feng: Paper revising, Project administration; Funding acquisition.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWenxin Chen: Data collection\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKun Yu: Data collection\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Approval \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper was approved by the ethics committee of Shaoxing university. And all procedures were followed in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation [institutional and national] and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Participates\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants included in the current study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot Applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe thank the members of the research group for revising this paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statements\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData is provided within the \u0026nbsp;supplementary information files.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBurt SA, Donnellan MB. 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J Pers Soc Psychol. 2018;114:572-98. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000118\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-psychology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"psyo","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Psychology](http://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"BMC Psychology","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"interpersonal sensitivity, social aggression, perceived social support, envy, General Aggression Model","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7272032/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7272032/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterpersonal sensitivity appears to be a contributing factor to social aggression; however, the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and social aggression, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains insufficiently explored. Drawing on the General Aggression Model, this study investigates the association between interpersonal sensitivity and social aggression, focusing on the mediating roles of perceived social support and envy.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA total of 710 young adults (\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u003csub\u003eage\u003c/sub\u003e = 18.57, \u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.78; 30.85% males) completed questionnaires assessing interpersonal sensitivity, social aggression, perceived social support, and envy.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStructural equation modeling revealed a significant positive association between interpersonal sensitivity and social aggression. Mediation analysis demonstrated that envy partially mediates this relationship. Moreover, a sequential mediation effect was identified, whereby interpersonal sensitivity decreases perceived social support, which in turn elevates envy and ultimately increases social aggression. Gender differences indicated that men with higher interpersonal sensitivity are more susceptible to envy, whereas females with lower sensitivity tend to perceive greater social support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese findings offer empirical validation for the General Aggression Model and underscore the critical roles of interpersonal sensitivity and envy in influencing social aggression. The study also provides practical insights for mitigating social aggression among young adults by addressing interpersonal sensitivity, fostering social support, and managing envy.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"How Interpersonal Sensitivity Relates to Social Aggression: An Analysis Through the Lens of the General Aggression Model","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-23 16:19:02","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7272032/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-21T07:31:32+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"138560225234190008997330365472197023748","date":"2025-09-21T01:55:21+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-15T11:21:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-08-07T11:14:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-07T07:28:36+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-08-06T14:52:57+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Psychology","date":"2025-08-06T14:50:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-psychology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"psyo","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Psychology](http://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"BMC Psychology","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"ca5f11b6-0393-456d-ba2b-d4465c7b44d3","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 23rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-23T16:19:02+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-23 16:19:02","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7272032","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7272032","identity":"rs-7272032","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}