Peer Victimization Among Urban, Predominantly African American Youth: Coping With Relational Aggression Between Friends

• NCJ Number: 229584
• Journal: Journal of School Violence Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2010 Pages: 98-116
• Author(s): Tracy Evian Waasdorp; Aparna Bagdi; Catherine P. Bradshaw
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): K01CE001333-01; T32 MH18834
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health; Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using data from a sample of 126 urban, low-income predominantly African-American children this article examines children's beliefs concerning relational aggression and their use of coping strategies when faced with relational aggression in their close friendships.

Abstract

Although there is a growing body of research documenting the deleterious effect of experiencing relational aggression, few studies have explored how children cope with relational aggression, especially when it occurs between close friends. Moreover, relational aggression is understudied among urban African-American children. Findings suggested that relational aggression was perceived to be prevalent and harmful by both the boys and the girls. Both boys and girls reported they would use ruminative/avoidance coping strategies when experiencing relational aggression in a close friendship. Implications for future research and the development of gender-sensitive prevention programs are discussed. 3 tables and 67 references (Published abstract)