Self-other representations and relational and overt aggression in adolescent girls and boys

Aggressive behavior in girls has received far less attention than similar p roblems in boys. This study examined self-representation, and others' repre sentation of self, as predictors of relational aggression, overt aggression , and assaultive behavior in 32 girls and 52 boys, 10 to 17 years of age, r eferred for assessment due to significant aggressive and delinquent behavio r problems. As predicted, negativity of self-representation predicted relat ional aggression in girls but not boys. Negativity of self-representation a lso predicted overt aggression and assaultive behavior in both girls and bo ys. Parental representations of self were not predictive in this sample; ho wever, negativity of peer representations of self, was associated with incr eased relational aggression in girls and decreased relational aggression in boys. Negativity of peer representations of self also predicted overt aggr ession and assaultive behavior in both girls and boys. Results suggest that the evaluation of self-other representations may be valuable in the assess ment of risk for gender specific patterns of aggression. Copyright (C) 2001 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.