ABSTRACT
This book has highlighted the lack of empirically based information on the developmental trajectories of aggressive girls. Researchers have consistently underestimated the prevalence of aggression in girls, as well as the long-term sequella such as teen pregnancy, truancy, running away, early sexual activity, and intergenerational risks for their children. The chapters in this book have begun to fill a significant gap in our understanding through their focus on girls’ aggression. Although we are now beginning to understand the mechanisms and processes associated with the development of aggression in girls, there is a paucity in our current understanding of effective treatments for girls with aggressive behavior problems. The two chapters in this section highlight the importance of addressing girls’ aggression while underscoring a critical question: Should treatments for girls be the same or different than those for boys? The four themes highlighted in these chapters addressing the treatment of girls’ aggression include: (a) the need for a developmental contextual perspective in understanding girls’ aggression, (b) the significance and salience of relationships for assessing girls’ aggression, (c) designing treatment to target the risky social contexts that may facilitate the development of aggression in girls, and (d) identifying relevant outcomes in the treatment of girls’ aggression.
