Examines the association between independent roles occurring within different contexts (e.g. family, peer, work) and aggressive behavior among 516 low-income, urban middle school students. Overall, adolescent employment is related to increases in aggressive behavior. Greater engagement in familial independent roles is associated with decreased…

Examines factors related to aggression at school, particularly involving alcohol use. Finds school aggression higher among students who are male, rebellious, have a weak sense of school identification, low academic achievement, and drink alcohol during the school day. Schools that encourage school involvement and alcohol resistance may help…

A study evaluated the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as a proactive single-component aggression-reduction intervention for 24 students (ages 6- 9) classified as having emotional disabilities in a day school/treatment program. Students also had histories of aggressive behavior. Results supported PMR as a proactive short-term…

Examined the relationship between three behaviors (physical aggression, relational aggression, and prosocial behaviors) and three social outcomes (peer rejection, acceptance, and reciprocal friendships) in 131 third-graders and 135 sixth-graders. Found that among girls, but not boys, relational aggression explained variance in rejection beyond…

Describes causal factors pertaining to youth violence (family variables, individual characteristics, and societal factors) and presents a transactional-ecological conceptual model for understanding youth violence. Makes program recommendations as examples of how the transactional-ecological framework can be applied toward addressing youth violence…

Using narrative reports of peer conflicts among a sample of African-American children and adolescents from inner-city schools, investigates the development and social functions of four types of aggressive behaviors. Results showed that low levels of social aggression and high levels of physical aggression were reported in peer conflicts. Distinct…

This prospective study found that self-reported attitudes toward peer aggression among 403 middle school students were both internally consistent and stable over time (7 months). Aggressive attitudes were correlated with four outcome criteria for aggressive behavior: student self-report of peer aggression; peer and teacher nominations of bullying;…

Investigated how gender of the aggressor, target, and observer would influence perception and evaluation of aggression. New Zealand college students read vignettes describing aggressive acts. Overall, they rated women's aggression as more acceptable than men's aggression. Men considered aggression more acceptable, because they considered the act…

Uses social learning theory to examine the possible effects of parental domestic violence on children who witness it in their home environment. Examines the short-term and long-term influence of witnessing parental violence on children's development, including aggression among peers during childhood and adolescence, as well as in dating…

Argues that a thorough understanding of factors that influence aggression in children cannot be achieved without including behavior genetic studies that allow examination of the effects of shared versus non-shared environment, as well as genes, on aggressive behaviors. Details the growing body of evidence on the genetic effects on aggression.…

Applied a cultural phenomenological perspective to the investigation of whether self- and other-perceived physical maturity and racialsocialization experiences were influential in the expressions of anger and aggression among African American youth. Findings for 127 urban youth suggest patterns characteristic of those most likely to be involved in…

Relates the development of theories concerning gender differences in mental ability and reexamines them using meta-analysis. Finds that the greatest difference is in one type of spatial ability, mental rotation. There is only a small difference in mathematical performance, and no difference in verbal ability. (DM)

Investigated whether earliest school recollections (ESRs) diagnostic approach can reveal current attitude toward being mainstreamed of violent and assaultive youth. Examined current student behavior assessments of violent and assaultive youth (n=60) who previously attended specialized day-treatment facility to determine mainstreaming success.…

Use of anabolic steroids is believed to increase the odds of violent antisocial behavior, thus posing risks to consumers and the general public. Some research shows the danger of steroids in inducing severe adverse psychiatric effects. Certain lawyers use this abuse to plead insanity for their clients. (SM)

A short-term cognitive mediation training intervention program designed to alter the social-cognitive basis for aggressive behavior of adolescent aggression offenders was found to increase social problem-solving skills, reduce endorsement of beliefs supporting aggression, and reduce aggressive, impulsive, and inflexible behavior. (RH)