Deborah M. Casper

Peers’ Perceptions of Gender Nonconformity Associations With Overt and Relational Peer Victimization and Aggression in Early Adolescence

The current study used reports from 318 early adolescents to examine the associations of peer-reported gender nonconformity with peer- and self-reported overt and relational victimization and aggression, and possible sex differences in these associations. Multiple-group structural equation modeling revealed that higher levels of peer-reported gender nonconformity were associated with higher self- and peer-reports of overt and relational victimization and aggression among males and females. The association between peer-reported gender nonconformity and peer-reported overt aggression was moderated by participant sex, such that the association was stronger for females compared to males. Results suggest that perceived gender nonconformity is associated with problematic peer relations, especially among females, in early adolescence and implications of these associations are discussed.

“We Were Best Friends, But . . . ”: Two Studies of Antipathetic Relationships Emerging From Broken Friendships

Antipathetic relationships and friendships are common during adolescence. One type of antipathetic relationship that has received no empirical attention is one that emerges from a broken friendship. Two studies, a reanalysis of N. A. Card’s previously published data (Study 1) and newly collected data (Study 2), investigated this topic through mixed-methods analysis of emerging adults’ retrospective reports of relationships during high school. Qualitative analyses revealed jealousy, incompatibility, intimacy-rule violations, and aggression as themes in the transformation of friendship to antipathy. Quantitative analyses revealed intimacy-rule violations in the formation; relational aggression, competition, and avoidance during the maintenance; and continued contact following high school as more common for former friends. These findings highlight the dynamic relations between friendship and antipathy.

Addressing Measurement Issues Related to Bullying Involvement

Abstract. In this article, we address measurement issues related to select aspects of bullying involvement with the goal of moving psychometrically sound measurement practices toward applied bullying research. We first provide a nontechnical introduction to psychometric considerations in measuring bullying involvement, highlighting the importance of establishing measurement equivalence across contexts and intervention conditions. We then discuss different forms of data collection for antibullying-intervention evaluation, interinformant agreement, and benefits of using information from multiple reporters. In the third section, we address the importance of using valid and reliable measures of the different forms of bullying, particularly when measuring bullying involvement across development. Finally, we advocate for studying the larger peer ecology by capturing the different ways in which youth actively or passively participate in bullying incidents. We conclude with a brief consideration of how psychometrically sound measurement of bullying involvement can inform the development of appropriate, effective, evidence-based bullying interventions.

Retaining Early Childhood Education Workers: A Review of the Empirical Literature

ABSTRACT Low retention in the child care workforce is a persistent challenge that has been associated with negative outcomes for children, staff, and centers. This article reviews the empirical literature, identifying common correlates or predictors of retention for child care workers. Searches were conducted using several databases, and articles that presented quantitative or qualitative data on retention for center-based child care workers in the United States were reviewed in detail. Seven themes emerged as potential predictors of retention: wages and benefits, job satisfaction, organizational characteristics, alternative employment opportunities, demographic characteristics, job characteristics, and education and training. Although some of the findings were mixed, increased retention was generally associated with the following: working in a publicly operated or nonprofit center that meets accreditation or policy standards, being older, maintaining a higher-level position, having more tenure and experience, receiving higher wages, and reporting higher job satisfaction. Based on these studies, child care centers should seek to increase pay, recruit staff with more experience, and aim to improve job satisfaction among staff to help increase retention. In addition, government-funded professional development incentive programs may help child care centers meet the goals of a high-quality, educated, and stable workforce.

Bystander Interventions for Sexual Assault and Dating Violence on College Campuses: Are We Putting Bystanders in Harm's Way?.

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study investigated the well-being of bystanders who witness and intervene in sexual assault and dating violence situations on campus. Participants: Participants were 321 young men and women from a large university in the southeastern United States. Methods: Participants completed a survey at the end of the Spring semester of 2015 about risky situations they had witnessed, with follow-up questions about their responses to the situations (eg, whether they intervened or not) and feelings about their responses. Participants also completed standardized measures of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Results: Over 90% of the participants reported witnessing at least 1 of the risky events presented to them, and approximately 50% reported intervening in events. Intervening was associated with positive feelings, but traumatic stress symptoms were related to witnessing events and intervening. Conclusions: Results have direct implications for developing appropriate training programs for bystander intervention programs on college campuses.

Deployment and family functioning: A literature review of US operations in Afghanistan and Iraq

The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have led to historically high rates of military deployment for the United States. The increased deployment tempo of the current conflicts necessitates a closer look at the literature on the impact of deployment on families specific to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In this article, we review the qualitative and quantitative literature on the impact of OEF and OIF deployment on families. The review included 38 articles organized into four major areas: (1) Family Changes and Transitions, (2) Child Maltreatment, (3) Spouse Stress and Mental Health, and (4) Marital Relationship Quality. Results of this review are discussed in terms of the need for additional research on individual differences between families and greater emphasis on how deployment impacts the well-being of spouses. We conclude with a discussion of limitations.

A review of the impact of US military deployments during conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq on children's functioning

Recent military conflicts have resulted in longer and more frequent deployments than past conflicts for US Servicemembers; this increased deployment tempo has potential consequences for youths well-being. This review article synthesizes the research that has examined the impact of parental deployment in the United States since 2001 on youths functioning. Extant literature reveals that, while parental deployment is directly associated with increased academic problems, it has a more complex association with behavior problems, peer relationships, and physical health problems. For these outcomes, variables such as parent well-being and child age played a role in the impact of parental deployment on youth. These findings highlight the need for additional research on the complex association between parental deployment and youths functioning, and the factors that might moderate this association.