Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between rejection sensitivity and reactive aggression among college students, as well as to determine the mediating effects of self-concept clarity and hostile attribution bias on the relationship between rejection sensitivity and reactive aggression. A self-report questionnaire was conducted online for the purpose of gathering data from university students aged 18 years and older. A total of 250 participants were included in the analysis. SPSS 27.0 was used for data analysis to check the basic statistics of the variables, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis. In addition, the model fit was checked using Amos 21.0, and the bootstrapping method verified the significance of the indirect effect. The results of this study are as follows. The results of this study are as follows. First, rejection sensitivity positively affects reactive aggression through self-concept clarity. Second, rejection sensitivity increases the hostile attribution bias, leading to an increase in reactive aggression. Third, rejection sensitivity positively influences reactive aggression in an indirect way by sequentially affecting self-concept clarity and hostile attribution bias. These findings have implications as they identify psychological factors that affect reactive aggression in college students. This suggests the importance of utilizing psychological interventions to address reactive aggression associated with social problems, such as crime, and provides a foundation for both treatment and prevention. Finally, implications for further research and limitations of this study are suggested.