Gender Differences in Physical Aggression and Associated Developmental Correlates in a Sample of Canadian Preschoolers

Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that gender differences in children's aggressive behavior emerge during the preschool years and that these differences are relatively stable during childhood. The current study assesses whether these gender differences can be observed when a multidimensional measure of aggression from the ongoing Vancouver Longitudinal Study on the psychosocial development of children is utilized. Specifically, the level of physical aggression (PA) in three cohorts of children (aged three, four, and five years) from the initial 338 families in the Wave I data recruited for this study was analyzed using a series of constrained and unconstrained latent class models. Three latent classes of physically aggressive children were identified (low, moderate, and high level), with boys being over-represented in the highly aggressive group and being five times more likely than girls to show high levels of aggression. No age effects were detected, suggesting gender differences from the age of three years onward. The correlates of PA were similar for both boys and girls. Particularly important, a small subgroup of highly aggressive boys emerged from the study showing a clinical profile similar to Moffitt's life-course-persistent antisocial pattern. Such a group was not identified for girls.

Domination by aggressive behaviours among students in Orumba North, Anambra State, Nigeria

“…The finding is consistent with the result reported by previous studies (see kediashi & Akande, 2015; Mobarake, 2015; Roya 2015; Sydney-Agbor, 2016) who found that male and female differ in aggressive behaviour. This result notwithstanding, other researchers (Geolge, 2012;Lussier, Patrick;Corrado, Tzoumakis & Stacy, 2012) found no statistical significant aggressive behaviour based on gender. The first possible explanation for this finding could be found in Berkowitz (1993) theoretical position that men are socialized to be aggressive while women are not (Berkowitz, 1993, p. 395).…”

“…They opine that men are predispose than females to be aggressive and are involved more in criminal activities (Agboola, 2011). However, studies found no discrepancy in male and female aggressive behaviours in experimental context (Tremblay, Japel & Pérusse, 1999;Geolge, 2012;Lussier, Patrick;Corrado, Tzoumakis & Stacy, 2012). They were of the opinion that physically aggressive behaviours such as kicking, biting and hitting are expressions of innate and spontaneous reactions to biological drives such as anger, hunger, and affiliation (Lussier, Patrick;Corrado, Tzoumakis & Stacy, 2012).…”

Effects of problem-solving interventions on aggressive behaviours among primary school pupils in Ibadan, Nigeria

“…Males were selected because of the clear evidence that they are more likely to engage in physically aggressive behaviours than females [9, 10]. A more senior class (primary five) was selected to ensure that the children would be developmentally mature enough to understand and utilize the cognitive problem-solving skills contained in the intervention.…”

“…Thus, early identification of children with aggressive behaviours may be particularly important to prevent social difficulties and improve long-term outcomes [6, 7]. Boys are 5 times more likely to exhibit high levels of physical aggression than girls [9, 10]. …”

Parents Attitude to Aggressive Behavior of the Children in the Family

“…Scientists that studied aggression in terms of sex have an opinion that aggressive behavior differences between girls and boys show in the second-third years. Boys become more aggressive than girls (Reinberger, 2008;Lussier et al, 2012;Butovskaya et al, 2013). Boys tend to fight, kick and bite more than girls in preschool age.…”