The Impact of Negative Life Events on Aggressive Behavior in Vocational College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

This study explores the impact of negative life events on aggressive behavior in vocational college students, with a focus on the mediating role of interpersonal relationship distress and the moderating role of emotional intelligence. A survey was conducted on 5,503 students from 7 vocational colleges across China, using the Adolescent Life Events Scale, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Interpersonal Relationship Comprehensive Diagnosis Scale, and the Emotional Intelligence Scale. The results indicate that: (1) negative life events have a significant positive predictive effect on aggressive behavior; (2) interpersonal relationship distress partially mediates the relationship between negative life events and aggressive behavior; (3) emotional intelligence moderates the mediating effect of interpersonal relationship distress on the link between negative life events and aggressive behavior. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying aggression in vocational college students and have educational implications for preventing aggressive behavior in this population.