The effect of social exclusion on aggressive behavior among Chinese college students: the mediating role of relative deprivation and the moderating role of upward social comparison

Relative deprivation could be a mechanism by which social exclusion was linked with aggressive behavior and USC enhanced the effect of relative deprivation. This study was important in investigating how social exclusion was related to aggressive behavior among Chinese college students which provided meaningful implications for reducing aggressive behavior. Thus, this study explored "how" and "when" social exclusion might enhance aggressive behavior among Chinese college students. The results suggested that relative deprivation and USC might be prime targets for prevention and intervention programs of aggressive behavior among Chinese college students.