Cognitive control moderates the maturation of relational aggression in adults.

Relational aggression (RA) is a covert form of social aggression consisting of reactive and proactive subtypes. Little is known about RA in adults, and less so about the association with cognitive control. We hypothesised greater levels of proactive but lower levels of reactive RA in adults with intact cognitive control. An adult sample (N = 769) completed a cognitive control task and self-report RA survey. Two robust ANOVAs examined proactive and reactive RA levels between participants with intact and impaired levels of cognitive control, with the role of age in such associations explored in a post-hoc analysis. We observed greater reactive but not proactive RA levels in established adults with impaired cognitive control. Further, younger participants tended to report higher levels of both RA subtypes. Findings support theories of cognitive control as a mitigating factor for RA and suggest the influence of age may be subordinate to developmental maturation and cognitive control. • Cognitive control is a well-established moderator of aggression. • Aggressive behaviour occurs in a non-linear fashion across the lifespan. • Relational aggression in adulthood is correlated with age and cognitive control. • Proactive relational aggression is strongly associated with cognitive control. • This association is strongest for established adults and weakest for emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]