Associations Between Fifth Graders’ Gender Atypical Problem Behavior and Peer Relationships: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study

Abstract

An accruing body of evidence supports associations between self-perceived gender typicality and peer relationship difficulties; however, researchers have yet to evaluate peers' perceptions of problem behaviors to gain insight into the social correlates of gender typicality. A short-term longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate associations between gender atypical problem behavior and subsequent peer relational difficulties for 2,076 fifth graders (M age= 10.27; 53% female). Peer nomination methodology was used to assess participants' classroom peer relationships, problem behaviors, and social-emotional characteristics. Findings showed that youth characterized by gender atypical, compared to gender typical, problem behavior (withdrawn boys/aggressive girls vs. withdrawn girls/aggressive boys, respectively) evidenced higher levels of subsequent peer difficulties; moreover, participation in a mutual friendship was associated with decreased risk for peer relationship maladjustment, particularly among youth characterized by gender atypical problem behavior. Results further revealed that, compared to friendless youth, friended youth earned higher prosocial and peer liking scores and, for withdrawn youth, lower emotional sensitivity scores. The present research contributes to our understanding of the potential short-term consequences of youth's gender atypical problem behavior. Findings underscore the need for supplemental conceptualizations of gender typicality as well as multifaceted interventions designed to promote the acceptance of gender nonnormativity, support the development of adaptive peer relationships, and reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors.

Peers’ Perceptions of Gender Nonconformity

“…Further, females who are perceived as more gender nonconforming by their peers may be perceived as more aggressive overall by their peers (both overtly and relationally). These findings are particularly important in light of other work that suggests that gender non-normative forms of aggression are associated with higher levels of negative social-psychological outcomes (Crick, 1997) and problematic peer relationships (e.g., Kochel et al, 2012). …”

“…These two studies defined and measured externalizing problems more broadly, rather than aggression in particular. An additional study did find that early adolescent girls who engaged in aggression (as reported by their peers) had higher levels of peer-reported victimization; however, this study collapsed verbal, physical, and relational aggression into a singular construct (Kochel et al, 2012). Yet, as mentioned earlier, research has shown the importance of examining the multiple forms of aggression instead of examining aggression as a singular construct.…”

Preventing Internalizing Problems in 6–8 Year Old Children: A Universal School-Based Program

“…Furthermore, peer relationships have been implicated as mediating and protective factors in psychological adjustment, as well as encouraging more positive school transitions, better school adjustment, increased achievement and school liking, decreased school avoidance, protection against victimization in school, and more healthy adjustments to negative life experiences (Bukowski and Adams, 2005; Masten, 2005; Kochel et al, 2012). …”

Gender-based harassment in early adolescence: Group and individual predictors of perpetration

“…Research has robustly shown that children and adolescents who do not conform to gender norms, or are considered atypical for their gender, are more likely to be verbally teased, rejected or socially excluded, and physically bullied than their more typical peers (D'Augelli, Pilkington, & Hershberger, 2002;Fagot, 1977;Horn, 2007;Jewell & Brown, 2014;Kochel, Miller, Updegraff, Ladd, & Kochenderfer-Ladd, 2012;Toomey, Ryan, Diaz, Card, & Russell, 2013;Zosuls, Andrews, Martin, England & Field, 2016). This is consistent with subjective group dynamics theory, which states that deviant group members are often censored or "policed" by their peers in order to encourage conformity (Abrams et al, 2017;Abrams & Rutland, 2008).…”

“…The relationship between gender atypicality (i.e., not conforming to gender group norms) and experiencing gender-based harassment has been well-documented, and individuals who are atypical for their own gender or more typical of the other gender often face high rates of harassment from their peers (D'Augelli et al, 2002;Horn, 2007;Jewell & Brown, 2014;Kochel et al, 2012;Toomey et al, 2013). However, less research has examined how gender typicality is related to the perpetration of gender-based harassment.…”