Heterogeneity in 8- to 10-year-old girls who were rejected by their peers was investigated. Cluster analysis revealed two groups, the more deviant being characterized by withdrawal, anxiety, and low academic functioning. Aggression did not differentiate the two groups. (BC)

Explores the links between acquaintance rape and alcohol consumption among college students, two serious problems on campus. Seven explanations for the relationship focus on alcohol consumption by the perpetrator and by the victim. The need to conduct further studies and develop prevention programs is addressed. (Author/SM)

A study found good problem-solving skills, reading at or above grade level, ability to get along with peers and adults, likeability, sense of humor, and having an adult mentor at school were associated with the positive educational progress of 652 boys (ages 13 to 17) with severe aggression and emotional disturbance. (Author/CR)

Two cases are presented in which modifications to the social attention condition were needed to identify maintaining contingencies for two young children with mental retardation and destructive behavior. The effects of two different qualities of social attention are examined, along with the effects of contingent verbal, versus contingent physical,…

Three studies examine the relationship of rejection sensitivity measured on the Children's Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire to individual differences in response to peers' social rejection in urban, minority fifth to seventh graders. Found that rejection-sensitive children behaved more aggressively and experienced increased interpersonal…

Examined children's perceptions of peer behaviors to identify those likely to result in social rejection. Found three behavior groups leading to negative peer evaluation: academic- disruptive, anxious-depressed, and aggressive-antisocial. Found younger children were more negative toward disruptive and aggressive behavior, older children more…

Fifth- and sixth-grade aggressive and acting-out students from a Latino community were organized into two groups based on their classroom academic performance. Students who were rated as aggressive but were high on school learning reported more resiliency indicators than those low on school learning. Parental supervision was the key variable…

Reviews the literature on: (1) health-related effects of video games (VGs), including seizures, physiologic responses, and musculoskeletal injuries; (2) eye-hand coordination in VGs; (3) psychological adjustment related to VGs, including possible psychopathologies and violence-related effects; and (4) the educational impact of VGs. Also examines…

Two studies examined the moderating role of dyadic friendship in the developmental pathway to peer victimization. Both studies found that early harsh, punitive, and hostile family environments predicted later victimization by peers for children who had a low number of friendships. Predictive associations did not hold for children with numerous…

Thirteen suggestions for preventing the growing problem of peer cruelty at school include: adopt a schoolwide character education effort; create a classroom community; allow children to help set rules; teach empathy; practice cooperative learning; allow children of different ages to work together; teach social skills to end victimization; empower…

This article reviews the psychopharmacological treatment of aggression, mood disturbances, and self-injurious behavior in persons with autistic disorder. It highlights the use of dopaminergic drugs, serotonergic drugs, opioidergic drugs, adrenergic drugs, thymoleptic drugs, and glutamatergic drugs for their potential utility in treating…

Presents a review of the literature on social attitudes of school children. Includes studies on bullying, self-esteem, teacher respect of children, student achievement, and integration of caring across the curriculum. Contains seven reviews. (NB)

Examines relationships among peer, teacher, and self-assessments on adolescent direct and indirect aggressive behavior taking place at school. Focuses on early, middle, and late adolescent girls and boys (n=2002). States that direct aggression includes measures on bullying, fighting, and arguing while indirect aggression focuses on measures of…

Examined 475 adolescents from Grade 7 through early adulthood to identify antecedents and pathways of teen parenthood. Found that teen fatherhood and motherhood were predicted by individual and peer configurations such as a combination of high aggression, low academic competence, low popularity, and low family SES. Peer characteristics, race, and…

Describes a successful school and classroom enhancement package specifically designed to prevent the development of serious antisocial behavior in children. Details the critical school-based processes related to the emergence of antisocial behavior that guide the intervention design and some preliminary positive outcome data on program…