Aggression, Antisocial Behavior and Violence among Girls

Abstract

Aggression, Antisocial Behavior and Violence among Girls, edited by Martha Putallz and Karen Bierman, Guilford Publications, New York, NY, 2004, 322 pp., $38.00 (hardcover). Violence and aggression continue to adversely affect the health outcomes of our youth. In 2003, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), homicide was the second leading cause of death among people 10-24 years of age. Furthermore, a significant number of female adolescents, not just males, are described as aggressive and violent. In 2005 28% of all high school females surveyed by the YRBS reported being in a physical fight and 7% of these females reported carrying a weapon. Despite this data, the research on female aggression has lagged behind similar studies in males. Martha Putallaz and Karen Bierman enhanced our knowledge of female aggression editing this comprehensive book. Aggression, Antisocial Behavior and Violence among Girls, part of the Duke Series in Child Development and Public Policy, is a compilation of the individual research efforts of scholars in this field including psychologists, sociologists, criminologists, and psychiatrists. The book is divided into five parts, charting the issues of aggression from childhood to adulthood. Part I is an overview of the biological, sociological, and gender issues that influence our understanding of aggression in girls. Part II covers aggression and victimization in childhood. Part III addresses these problem behaviors in adolescent girls and Part IV discusses how these behaviors influence adult outcomes in areas such as romantic relationships and parenting. Finally, Part V addresses the important issue of how public policy and prevention programs might be utilized to understand, treat, and prevent the negative outcomes of aggressive and antisocial behavior. A key theme addressed in each part is the unique features of aggression in girls. Relational aggression, unlike overt aggression commonly seen in boys, is more prevalent among girls. As the authors point out, this feature of maladaptive aggression in girls is more difficult to study because it is covert and less obvious. Aggression, Antisocial Behavior and Violence among Girls is also written from a developmental perspective, an appealing feature for pediatricians, nurses, or psychologists who want to learn more about this topic. For example, the examination of the scientific literature on relational aggression in toddlers, middle school children, and adolescents includes information about the cognitive skills, the coping strategies as well as the social influences at these different ages. Also, there is an emphasis on describing aggressive behavior as part of a developmental trajectory from childhood to adolescence. Consequently, the reader is able to gain an understanding of risk behaviors in a broader, lifelong context that is not limited to one point in time. Although the book is written in a logical progression, the subject matter of childhood and adolescent female aggression can be a challenge to read and synthesize. The literature is numerous and the data may seem contradictory. The authors use an effective format to prevent the reader from feeling overwhelmed by information. Several chapters provide an in-depth analysis of one or two research studies on a particular topic such as Chapter 8, "Aggression and Antisocial Behavior in Sexually Abused Females," and Chapter 9, "A Long Term Follow-Up of Serious Female Offenders." Other chapters include bar graphs to illustrate trends and comparisons. In fact, it would be helpful if more data were presented in this graphic manner. The preface states that this book is intended to form a "comprehensive picture of aggression and antisocial behavior in girls." Although it accomplishes this goal in most areas, prospective readers should understand that the subject is approached from a psychological perspective as well, with an emphasis on research and not clinical applications. For example, there is little information about the clinical assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with maladaptive aggression. The last chapter, "Future Directions and Priorities for Prevention and Intervention," discusses the need to design programs to promote social skills, prevent adolescent pregnancy and reduce relational aggression in middle childhood. However, a more in-depth discussion of treatment programs and their outcomes would enhance this last section. Aggression, Antisocial Behavior and Violence among Girls is a well written, thorough and thoughtful book about aggression and related behaviors. Readers of the entire book will gain a clearer understanding of this complex subject and will benefit from the broad developmental perspective. It is an important resource for information about how aggression changes with age. Also, the reader will become more familiar with active researchers in this field and their significant contributions. I would strongly recommend this book to professionals interested in this timely subject of aggression. Cathy Scheiner, M.D. Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics University of Maryland Baltimore, MD

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