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The problem of youth violence has become a national priority given both the cost and repercussions to youth, our school systems, and to society (Eisenbraun, 2007). Although many research studies, books, and popular press articles have been devoted to this important topic, most of these prior investigations of youth aggressive behaviors have several key limitations, which include the following: (a) a focus on aggressive boys as opposed to aggressive girls, (b) a focus on physical and overt forms of aggression (e.g., hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking) as opposed to the more subtle manifestations of social exclusion and rumors (termed relational aggression) that are more salient for girls when they express their anger towards their peers (e.g., Crick & Grotpeter, 1995); and (c) the development and validation of school-based interventions that focus almost exclusively on the physical manifestations of aggression without consideration of relational forms (Leff et al., 2009).
Over the past two decades there has been increasing research examining gender differences in the expression of aggression. This research has suggested that boys typically display their aggression through direct, physical means, often termed physical or overt aggression (e.g., hitting, pushing, or kicking), which is thought to be related to dominance (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). Further, prior studies have demonstrated that physical aggressors are at risk for social problem-solving deficits, behavioral and emotional difficulties, peer relationship problems, and academic deficits (Parker & Asher, 1987). In contrast, research suggests that close to 20% of girls display their aggression in a more socially manipulative manner that includes behaviors such as starting rumors and using social exclusion (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995; Leff et al., 2009). Including information related to relational aggression within studies is extremely important given prior research suggesting that failing to assess for relational aggression may lead to the underidentification of 80% of aggressive girls and 40% of aggressive boys (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). Recent research has also demonstrated that relational aggression is related to a number of difficulties including peer relationship problems, behavioral difficulties, academic struggles, and teacher-student conflicts (Card, Stucky, Sawalani, & Little, 2008), and that it may be associated with serious adjustment difficulties for girls as they reach adolescence and young adulthood (Werner & Crick, 1999). Also, research has found that adolescents who are victims of...