A Psychoeducational Group for Aggressive Adolescent Girls

Abstract

This article describes an eight-session psychoeducational group for aggressive adolescent girls. The content of the group sessions is based on research that has identified gender-specific issues related to aggression in adolescent girls, such as gender-role socialization, childhood abuse, relational aggression, horizontal violence, and girl culture. Nonaggressive coping strategies are also discussed. Initial evaluation showed that girls did change some of their attitudes about their aggressive behavior.

Keywords:

• aggression
• adolescent
• girls
• relational
• psychoeducational

Dr. Anne L. Cummings and Dr. Alan W. Leschied are professors in the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario. Sue Hoffman is a counselor at Changing Ways, London, Ontario. Special thanks are extended to Anago Youth Services and Jassett Crooks, Terri-Lynn Oliver, and Janet Tingley for assistance in development of the treatment manual and facilitation of the groups. Development of the treatment manual was funded by the ScotiaBank Community Grants Program at the Center for Research on Violence Against Women and Children at The University of Western Ontario. Correspondence regarding this article should be addressed to Dr. Anne L. Cummings, Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1G7; e-mail: [email protected]