A multi-informant longitudinal study on the relationship between aggression, peer victimization, and dating status in adolescence

From the book : Evolutionary Psychology 10 issue 2 : 253-270.
Adolescent peer-aggression has recently been considered from the evolutionary perspective of intrasexual competition for mates.
We tested the hypothesis that peer-nominated physical aggression, indirect aggression, along with self-reported bullying behaviors at Time 1 would predict Time 2 dating status (one year later), and that Time 1 peer- and self-reported peer victimization would negatively predict Time 2 dating status.
Participants were 310 adolescents who were in grades 6 through 9 (ages 11-14) at Time 1.  Results showed that for both boys and girls, peer-nominated indirect aggression was predictive of dating one year later even when controlling for age, peer-rated attractiveness, and peer-perceived popularity, as well as initial dating status.
For both sexes, self-reported peer victimization was negatively related to having a dating partner at Time 2.
Findings are discussed within the framework of intrasexual competition.