Identity Spectrum and Aggressive Behavior: Investigating How Adolescents' Sense of Self Shapes Bullying Tendencies

Abstract

research method used a wede168 quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, involving a population of adolescents aged 13-18 years who were enrolled in secondary schools in Jakarta City. Sampling using random sampling technique. The research instruments consisted of the validated Adolescent Sense of self Scale (ASSS) and Bullying Behavior Scale (BBS). Data analysis used SPSS version 25 with independent T test as the main analysis and Pearson correlation analysis to measure the strength of the relationship between variables. The results showed significant differences in bullying behavior levels between groups with high and low Sense of self (t(362) = 7.86, p < 0.001, d = 0.82), with a strong negative correlation between the two variables (r = -0.68, p < 0.001). Identity coherence was found to be the Sense of self dimension with the strongest negative correlation to bullying behavior (r = -0.71, p < 0.001). The relationship between Sense of self and bullying behavior was moderated by family relationship quality (β interaction = -0.37, p < 0.001) and tended to strengthen with age. It can be concluded that sense of self, especially the components of identity coherence and boundary maintenance, has a central role in predicting the tendency of bullying behavior in adolescents, with important implications for the development of intervention programs based on strengthening self-identity.