Relative Strengths of Predictors of Middle School Girls' Suspendable Offenses

Abstract

This study determines the relative strength of predictors of school violence among a sample of 229 girls enrolled in a single middle school. The four-part questionnaire, comprising sociodemographic items, a school violence inventory, a self-esteem scale, and an attitudes toward violence scale, measured school violence in terms of suspendable school offenses. Hierarchical multiple regression then identified six predictors of school violence (ranked by strength): observation of school violence, gang membership, attitude toward violence, school suspension, grade level, and drug use. Whereas the two strongest predictors can be explained by social learning theory, it is possible that one aspect of the third, a positive attitude toward violence, may help girls justify violent behaviors.

KEYWORDS:

• middle school
• girls
• aggression
• violence
• attitude
• gang membership