Gender differences in the neuropsychology of childhood aggression.
Item
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Title
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Gender differences in the neuropsychology of childhood aggression.
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Identifier
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AAI9917667
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identifier
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9917667
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Creator
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Koda, Vivian Huhn.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Jeffrey M. Halperin
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Date
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1999
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Developmental | Psychology, Cognitive | Health Sciences, Human Development | Education, Elementary | Education, Guidance and Counseling | Psychology, Clinical
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Abstract
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The goal of this dissertation was to examine gender differences in cognitive, neuropsychological, behavioral and biological correlates of aggressive behavior in prepubertal children. Girls and boys between seven and ten years of age, exhibiting aggressive or disruptive behaviors, participated in this research. An aggression rating was determined based upon parent ratings of aggression on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/4--18) (Achenbach, 1991). Children were designated as aggressive if CBCL Aggression scores were ≥70; scores ≤69 resulted in nonaggressive group placement. Two groups of girls (12 aggressive and 12 nonaggressive) and two equal-sized groups of boys were matched for age and the CBCL Aggression scale score.;Cognitive assessment revealed that aggressive girls had significantly higher Verbal IQ (VIQ) scores than aggressive boys. Relative to their non-aggressive counterparts, aggressive girls had higher VIQ scores, but aggressive boys had lower VIQ scores. Aggressive girls academically outperformed all other groups of children. A Continuous Performance Test revealed significantly lower impulsivity among girls compared to boys. Thus, normal intelligence, academic competence and stronger behavioral control differentiated aggressive girls from impulsive, cognitively impaired aggressive boys.;History of psychopathology in first and second degree relatives showed a greater prevalence of internalizing difficulties in families of boys than girls. Although just short of significance, a greater incidence of antisocial behavior was found in fathers of aggressive boys compared to fathers of aggressive girls.;Demographic data revealed a greater prevalence of family adversity among aggressive boys as compared to all other groups. Aggressive boys were most often reared in single parent homes, with more children per household, and had parents with the lowest levels of education. In contrast, aggressive girls were most often from dual-parent homes, with fewer children per household, and had parents with the highest education levels.;There were no differences on neurobiological measures as a function of aggression or gender.;The findings of this research are consistent with an extensive literature indicating that aggressive boys are characterized by physical aggression, cognitive difficulties, and a wide array of psychosocial liabilities. However, this pattern does not hold up in the clinically referred aggressive girls in this study.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
