Support for Resilience Theory with Female Adolescents Who Are Violent: A MIMIC Model

Abstract

Resilience theory has been shown to explain aggression and violence in adolescents in general. No studies were found that supported this theory specifically with female adolescents. A multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model was developed from the review of the literature. Structural equation modeling was then used to quantitatively test this theoretical MIMIC model. Results indicate that the direct effect of the demographic contingencies are significantly related to violent behavior: race (β = −.53, t = 0.04, p < .001), community supports (β = −0.55, t = −0.04, p < .001), and subsidized income supports (β = 0.54, t = 0.04, p < .001). These results suggest demographic contingencies play an important role in predicting violent behavior in female adolescents.

Keywords:

• Female adolescents
• resilience theory
• violent behavior
• demographic contingencies