Assessed relational and physical peer victimization among 3- to 5-year olds. Found that boys were significantly more physically victimized than girls, whereas girls were more relationally victimized. Both types of victims experienced greater adjustment problems than did their peers. Relational victimization contributed unique information about…

Examines the relationship of attitudes and cognitions supportive of sexual-aggression perpetration and gender-role conflict to self-reported, sexually aggressive behavior for male college students (N=191). Sexually aggressive students evidenced significantly higher scores on attitudinal measures and the restrictive affectionate behavior between…

Evaluations of antiviolence education suggest that trying to change attitudes can cause a backlash. This study provides a knowledge-based intervention measuring knowledge of information presented, attitudes about date rape, and self-reported physical and sexual aggression involving peers. Results show that students who attended the intervention…

Summarizes research on the role of social relations in the development of aggressive and disruptive behavior. Concludes that social growth of such youth is highly complex and that school-based interventions should focus not only on the behavior of the student, but also on socio-cognitive processes and social contextual factors that support…

Examined associations between 7- to 9-year-old boys' experiences with their mothers, beliefs about peers, and peer adjustment over two years. Found that boys' negative behavior with mothers was associated with more negative beliefs about peers and being more aggressive and less well-liked. Beliefs about peers predicted social acceptance and…

Investigated the relationship between children's knowledge structures for peers and externalizing behavior problems. Evaluated initial aggression level in years 1, 6, and 9 of longitudinal study; evaluated social knowledge structures in year 6. Found that knowledge structures were related to children's concurrent externalizing behavior and…

High-school hazing--intimidation, humiliation, or punishment of younger recruits by veteran athletes and others--is becoming increasingly violent. Schools should react immediately and aggressively to reported incidents, develop a specific policy, educate their coaches, provide adult locker-room supervision, survey their alumni, and be observant.…

Examined risk mechanisms and protective factors in the relation between aggression in childhood and long-term adult unemployment among participants in the Jyvaskyla Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development. Found that aggression at 8 years predicted school maladjustment at age 14, which was related to unemployment. Child-centered…

Investigated the gender content of teasing and bullying among K-3 students, documenting adults' responses. Student interviews and teacher surveys indicated that gender subtly influenced this behavior. Boys teased and bullied much more than girls, though both sexes were the recipients. Boys had more aggressive responses than girls. Adults rarely…

Assessed Spanish college students' attitudes about forced sex and actual experiences with male-against-female sexual aggression. Students analyzed a date rape story discussed their coercive sexual activities and help-seeking behaviors. Acceptance of forced sex significantly related to sex, age, and experience with sexual aggression. Only 39…

Examines the qualities of bullying victims, bullies, and the environment that supports bully/victim problems. Results indicate that victims share qualities that differentiate them from other children. Children who are victimized early in life remain victims for a long period of time, and other children can accurately identify potential victims.…

Used observations of 28 preschoolers and questionnaire responses of 286 parents to examine how Greek preschoolers express aggressiveness and altruism, respectively. Found that aggression was expressed in a variety of ways, with boys being more aggressive than girls. Parents reported that comforting and cooperating were observed more than sharing…

Examined the effectiveness of peer medication in an inner city elementary school. Trained students mediated 206 conflicts, most of which were relationship problems involving physical and verbal aggression. Before mediation, students' conflict strategies included physical force and verbal intimidation. Mediation most commonly resulted in an…

Discusses the 15-session Structure/Themes/Open Communication/Reflection/ Individuality/Experiential Learning/ Social-Problem-Solving (STORIES) program, which uses the peer group and story form as vehicles to improve social problem solving for aggressors, victims, and bystanders. Postintervention reports show decreases in externalizing and…

Studied changes in bullying, victimization, and peer affiliation as 138 students made the transition from elementary school through the first year of middle school. Results show that bullying and aggressive victimization remain relatively constant over time. Discusses changes in social affiliations and their importance in minimizing victimization.…