Victims of Peer Aggression

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The scientific investigation of aggressive behavior among children has focused almost exclusively on the characteristics and backgrounds of children who enact the aggression. In contrast, children who serve as victims of peer aggression have rarely been studied. Recent data indicate that a small minority of elementary school children (about 10%) serve consistently as targets of peer attacks. These frequently victimized children possess certain characteristics, including anxiety,submissiveness, a reluctance to fight back, and a tendency to display obvious signs of pain and distress. This research is designed to expand our knowledge of the causes and consequences of being victimized by aggressive peers. A longitudinal study (beginning when children are in third grade) will involve repeatedly measuring children on victimization and variables that may be antecedent or consequent to victimization (e.g., style of initiating interactions with peers, style of handling disputes with peers, loneliness, depression, self-- esteem). Data will come from teacher-, peer-, and self- reports. Analyses will attempt to identify the characteristics that precede and follow a child being singled out for abuse. Other studies will involve directly observing and comparing victimized and nonvictimized children's interactions with peers on the playground and in the classroom. These studies are also designed to inform us about the behavioral qualities of victimized children that contribute to their victimization. Results should (a) provide information about the behavioral qualities of victimized children that might be targeted in intervention programs and (b) further our scientific understanding of aggressive processes by informing us about the qualities of victims that aggressive children finding provoking and reinforcing.