Parents' social problem‐solving strategies in families with aggressive and non‐aggressive girls

Abstract

This study examined the differences in social problem-solving strategies between the parents of aggressive and non-aggressive girls. The subjects were the parents of 26 aggressive 12-and 13-year-old girls (24 mothers and 13 fathers) and of 32 non-aggressive girls (32 mothers and 24 fathers). Social problem-solving strategies were assessed from the mothers' and fathers' descriptions of six social problems arising in the daily lives of their daughters. The results showed that the mothers of the aggressive girls scored higher on reprimanding and on indifference than the mothers of the non-aggressive girls, who discussed the problems with their daughters more. When the family system formed by both of the parents was treated as one unit, differences in the frequencies of social problem-solving strategies between the families of the aggressive and non-aggressive girls were also found. The parents of the aggressive girls advised their daughters on solving social problems typically (i.e., more often than the chance level) only if they directly asked for help. The mothers typically did not discuss the problems with their daughters or try to solve the problems themselves but more often diverted the responsibility to some persons outside of the home. The fathers were typically indifferent. In other words, these girls were often left without help from their parents. On the other hand, in the families with non-aggressive girls, indifference, avoiding discussion, and diverting responsibility were atypical strategies (i.e., more rare than the chance level). These results emphasize the role of the mothers, and especially the meaning of the family system, in predicting girls' aggressiveness. Aggr. Behav. 24:37-51, 1998.

Aggression in adolescent girls: Implications for policy, prevention, and treatment.

“…Both maternal and paternal verbal and physical aggression were significantly related to daughters' aggression at home and with peers (Bjorkqvist & Osterman, 1992). Negative communication styles by parents (Heaven, 1994; Pakaslahti, Spoof, Asplund-Peltola, & Keltikngas-Jarvinen, 1998), parental rejection (Viemero, 1996), or low parental support (Saner & Ellickson, 1996) were also related to adolescent girls' aggression. These findings confirm previous observattions made among younger girl (Garnefski & Okma, 1996; Viale-Val & Sylvester, 1993; Vissing, Straus, Gelles, & Harrop, 1991) and studies involving only males (Henggeler, 1989).…”

Social Competence in Children

“…Parental physical abuse appears to be related to a child's propensity to pay attention to negative and hostile cues and to ignore positive interactions (Dodge, et al, 1995). Parental indifference is also more likely to be present for adolescents with aggressive behavior as well as providing less guidance for the adolescent's behavior (Dix & Lochman, 1990;Pakaslahti et al, , 1998. Parental indifference is also more likely to be present for adolescents with aggressive behavior as well as providing less guidance for the adolescent's behavior (Dix & Lochman, 1990;Pakaslahti et al, , 1998.…”

Girls and Aggression

“…If caregivers are not consistently warm and responsive, children fail to learn to trust others, to be responsive to others, and they lack motivation to respond prosocially to gain the approval of others (Shaw & Bell, 1993). There is some evidence that a troubled relationship between a girl and her mother is particularly important in the development of antisocial behaviour (Pakaslahti, Spoof, Asplun-Peltola, & Keitikangas-Javinen, 1998). An empirical question is whether these primary family relationships are more salient for girls than for boys.…”