The purpose of this study was to test direct, additive, and mediation models involving family, neighborhood, and peer factors in relation to emerging antisocial behavior and social skills. Neighborhood danger, maternal depressive symptoms, and supportive parenting were assessed in early childhood. Peer group acceptance was measured in middle…

Among the findings are that girls become more self-reliant and responsible than boys at an earlier age and that the non-social behavior of boys reflects their greater free time and lack of responsibilities. The responses of adults are inconclusive, but consistent with findings on childrens behavior. (Author/AM)

This document, presented at a symposium on violence and aggression in America, reports a longitudinal study of environmental influences in the development of aggressive behavior. Subjects were 875 third graders when originally assessed with a peer nomination technique in 1960. High, moderate, and low degrees of aggression were identified in the…