NCJ Number
212488
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: 2005 Pages: 63-76
Date Published
2005
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article presents results from an evaluative study of a relational aggression program designed to help middle school girls confront and cope with issues related to relational aggression (RA).
Abstract
Since the violence at Columbine, the issue of aggression in youth has been at the forefront of the Nation’s consciousness. Statistics on adolescent female violence show that the self-reported rate of violent acts by female adolescents is closing the gender gap. This article presents findings from a program evaluation of Club Ophelia which offered two middle schools serving a diverse population of girls during the 2003-2004 academic year a program designed to help them confront and cope with relational aggression (RA). The Girls Relationship Scale (GRS) was administered to assess the impact of the program on relationship skills of the participants. Study findings show that the everyday life of many middle school girls is profoundly influenced by the negative consequences of RA, whether it arrives face-to-face or online. However, after completing a program specifically targeted at RA, girls developed a sense of confidence about themselves, their friend-ability and what to do when hurt and where to go for help. Study limitations and implications are presented and discussed. References