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Girls at Risk pp 105–117Cite as

Life-Span Continuity in Female Aggression and Violence

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Part of the book series: Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development ((ARAD))

Abstract

Aggressive behavior has been considered a risk factor for future social maladjustment, particularly among males, and it is not until recently that researchers have recognized the developmental risks for aggressive females. The present study focuses on the continuity of female aggression from a life span perspective. Within a sample of approximately 500 Swedish women who have been followed from age 10 to age 42, those who were rated as aggressive at one point in time, in most cases were rated as aggressive later on in life. Also, highly aggressive girls engaged in violent and antisocial acts to a greater extent than low aggressive girls. These data highlight the continuity and risks of an aggressive interactional style for girls and women. With an understanding of the risks, we can begin to identify aggressive girls and provide appropriate interventions to prevent the development of subsequent adjustment problems.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants to Anna-Karin Andershed from the Swedish Research Council and The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation. This study was made possible by access to data from the longitudinal research program Individual Development and Adaptation. David Magnusson and Lars R. Bergman have previously been the scientific leaders of this program. Currently, the program is led by Henrik Andershed and Anna-Karin Andershed. The data collections and infrastructure of the IDA program have been supported by grants from the Swedish National Board of Education, the Swedish Committee for the Planning and Coordination of Research, The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, the Swedish Social Research Council, The Swedish Research Council, and The Örebro City Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Criminological Research, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

    Anna-Karin Andershed

  2. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Debra J. Pepler

Authors
  1. Anna-Karin Andershed
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  2. Debra J. Pepler
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Correspondence to Anna-Karin Andershed .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Psychology, University of Orebro, Orebro, 701 82, Sweden

    Anna-Karin Andershed

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Andershed, AK., Pepler, D.J. (2013). Life-Span Continuity in Female Aggression and Violence. In: Andershed, AK. (eds) Girls at Risk. Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4130-4_6

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