Abstract
The current study investigated gender differences in types and correlates of aggression among 150 adjudicated youth (M age = 15.2, SD = 1.4). In cluster analysis, consistent with past studies, one aggressive group characterized by moderate levels of reactive
aggression and one characterized by high levels of proactive and reactive aggression emerged and these patterns were consistent
across gender. For both boys and girls, the combined proactive/reactive aggression cluster showed the greatest levels of aggression,
impulsivity, and callous-unemotional traits, supporting a severity over a typology model of proactive and reactive aggression.
Girls displayed significantly higher rates of physical and relational aggression than boys. Girls were highly aggressive toward
both girls and boys, whereas boys were highly aggressive only toward other boys. Girls also showed multiple indications of
severity and emotionality, indexed by higher rates of negative affect, anxiety, distress about social provocations, and empathy.
aggression and one characterized by high levels of proactive and reactive aggression emerged and these patterns were consistent
across gender. For both boys and girls, the combined proactive/reactive aggression cluster showed the greatest levels of aggression,
impulsivity, and callous-unemotional traits, supporting a severity over a typology model of proactive and reactive aggression.
Girls displayed significantly higher rates of physical and relational aggression than boys. Girls were highly aggressive toward
both girls and boys, whereas boys were highly aggressive only toward other boys. Girls also showed multiple indications of
severity and emotionality, indexed by higher rates of negative affect, anxiety, distress about social provocations, and empathy.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9588-1
- Authors
- Timothy R. Stickle, Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Victoria A. Marini, Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Jamila N. Thomas, Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627