Validation of the Social Information Processing Application (SIP-AP) Across Genders, Socioeconomic Levels, and Forms of Aggression

The goals of the current study were to (a) replicate the factor structure of the Social Information Processing Application (SIP-AP), (b) evaluate the measurement invariance of the SIP-AP across genders, socioeconomic (SES) levels, and forms of aggression, and (c) assess the convergent validity of the SIP-AP through associations with aggression, social competence, and rule-breaking behavior. Participants were 189 racially/ ethnically diverse children (53% male; M-age = 8.50 years) who completed the SIP-AP. Parents reported on children's aggression and social competence, children reported on their aggression, and we observed children's rule-breaking behavior. A five-factor model including Hostile Cue Interpretations, Aggressive Goals, Aggressive Responses, Aggressive Response Evaluations, and Prosocial SIP replicated in this sample. The model was invariant across genders, SES levels, and forms of aggression (physical, relational, covert, property destruction). Girls reported more Aggressive Goals than boys. Children from more economically disadvantaged families reported higher levels of Hostile Cue Interpretations, Aggressive Goals, and Aggressive Response Evaluations. Aggression was related to all SIP constructs in expected directions, social competence was negatively associated with Hostile Cue Interpretations, and rule-breaking behavior was positively linked to Aggressive Goals, Aggressive Responses, and Aggressive Response Evaluations. Results are discussed in terms of the psychometric strengths of the SIP-AP.