Abstract

This study examined the structural relationship among personal belief in a just world, presence of meaning in life, self-control, and aggression in college students. For this research, self-reported data from 427 college students were analyzed by gender, using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that personal belief in a just world predicted aggression regardless of gender. The mediating effect of self-control was non-significant among both women and men groups. The mediating effect of presence of meaning in life and self-control was significant among only women. It means that personal belief in a just world predicted presence of meaning in life and self-control, which consequently contributed to aggression among women. It is noteworthy that this study examined the concrete mechanism to reduce aggression by gender. Based on these findings, intervention strategies were discussed.