TY - JOUR
T1 - Exposure to "Low-Level" Aggression in School
T2 - Associations with Aggressive Behavior, Future Expectations, and Perceived Safety
AU - Boxer, Paul
AU - Edwards-Leeper, Laura
AU - Goldstein, Sara E.
AU - Musher-Eizenman, Dara
AU - Dubow, Eric F.
PY - 2003/12
Y1 - 2003/12
N2 - Examined associations with witnessing and being victimized by "low-level" aggressive acts (e.g., pushing, gossip) and three indicators of psychosocial functioning in a sample of 771 elementary school students from one urban and one suburban school district. Results indicated that exposure to low-level aggression appears to relate to psychosocial functioning in ways similar to more severe forms of aggression. Students who were exposed to higher levels of both witnessing and victimization by low-level aggression reported the highest levels of engagement in aggression, the lowest levels of positive expectations for the future, and the lowest levels of perceived safety. Findings are discussed in the context of research on exposure to aggression in general, with suggestions offered for future studies. Implications of the findings for school-based intervention programs are raised.
AB - Examined associations with witnessing and being victimized by "low-level" aggressive acts (e.g., pushing, gossip) and three indicators of psychosocial functioning in a sample of 771 elementary school students from one urban and one suburban school district. Results indicated that exposure to low-level aggression appears to relate to psychosocial functioning in ways similar to more severe forms of aggression. Students who were exposed to higher levels of both witnessing and victimization by low-level aggression reported the highest levels of engagement in aggression, the lowest levels of positive expectations for the future, and the lowest levels of perceived safety. Findings are discussed in the context of research on exposure to aggression in general, with suggestions offered for future studies. Implications of the findings for school-based intervention programs are raised.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=1942455902&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1891/vivi.2003.18.6.691
DO - 10.1891/vivi.2003.18.6.691
M3 - Article
C2 - 15109121
AN - SCOPUS:1942455902
SN - 0886-6708
VL - 18
SP - 691
EP - 705
JO - Violence and Victims
JF - Violence and Victims
IS - 6
ER -