Rosalyn Shute

'It Hurts a Hell of a Lot...' The Effects of Indirect Aggression on Teenage Girls

This article reports on a qualitative investigation of the effects of indirect aggression from peers (e.g. spreading false stories, exclusion from the group) on teenage girls. Focus groups, pair and individual interviews were conducted with teenage girls and their key teachers to explore the effects of indirect aggression on girls. The perceived characteristics of typical victims of indirect aggression also emerged from the study. The girls initially respond to indirect aggression with confusion and may deny suffering any ill-effects. However, as is the case with other forms of victimization, girls certainly experience a range of negative psychological effects including anxiety, loss of selfesteem and depression. This pain leads to a desire to escape through leaving the group or the school and even to thoughts of suicide. The girls fear that the harassment from peers may not end and witnesses or bystanders do not intervene for fear of what may happen to them. The pain of indirect aggression may be compounded by irrational self-talk by the girls. Some girls react to indirect aggression by retaliating against their aggressors and often conflict is resolved by girls who employ one-to-one strategies that avoid the power of the group. Some victims of indirect aggression are reported to bring the wrath of peers upon themselves through their actions in provoking others. However, the tendency to blame the victim may be a way of alleviating guilt on behalf of the perpetrators of aggression. Victims of indirect aggression may be particularly vulnerable if they are new or have few friends or lack assertiveness. An understanding of the painful effects of indirect aggression on girls is an important prelude to designing interventions to assist girls in their peer relationships.

Acculturation and social support in relation to psychosocial adjustment of adolescent refugees resettled in Australia

This study examined how different modes of acculturation and perceived social support are related to adolescent refugee psychosocial adjustment, as measured by global self-worth and peer social acceptance. The 83 participants, aged between 12 and 19 and now resident in Australia, were from the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Those who had the most positive attitudes toward both cultures obtained the highest ratings of self-worth and peer social acceptance. In contrast, those who had negative attitudes toward both cultures had the lowest scores on these measures of psychosocial adjustment. Results were consistent with the proposition that the effects of acculturation on adjustment are mediated by peer social support.

Parental and child perspectives on adaptation to childhood chronic illness: a qualitative study.

This qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the adaptation of children and families to childhood chronic illness. Considering ecological theories and child empowerment, we departed from the usual practice of relying solely on parental report by also soliciting children’s views. Eighteen children aged 7—14 with cancer, chronic renal failure or type 1 diabetes, and 21 of their parents, participated. The inclusion of several conditions enabled the examination of data from a categorical versus non-categorical perspective. Focus groups supplemented by individual interviews explored participants’ views about challenges and the processes they considered important in enhancing adaptation to a chronic illness. Children, as well as parents, provided rich material. Thematic analysis revealed 11 main themes. Six concerned the impact of the illness on various aspects of life. The other main themes were the meaning of disease, stress-processing, social support, future concerns and psychosocial interventions. There were many similarities and some differences between parent and child reports. Many issues were common across illness groups, consistent with a non-categorical approach, though there were some illness-specific issues, especially for those with cancer. Positive as well as negative material emerged. Implications for clinical services are discussed.

The emotional and behavioural adjustment of intellectually gifted adolescents: A multi-dimensional, multi-informant approach

This study compared the emotional and behavioural adjustment of a group of 33 intellectually gifted adolescents with a matched group of 25 adolescents of average ability, using the Behaviour Assessment System for Children. It is the first study to comprehensively examine the psychological adjustment of intellectually gifted adolescents using both multi-informant ratings and multi-dimensional, co-normed instruments. Parent ratings indicated that the intellectually gifted adolescents showed lower levels of problem behaviour than their peers of average ability. Teacher ratings indicated no significant differences between the two groups. Adolescent self-reports showed no difference on a global measure of emotional adjustment. However, intellectually gifted adolescents reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms, a better attitude towards teachers, greater self-reliance and a greater sense of adequacy.

School peer victimization of young people with craniofacial conditions: A comparative study

Young people with and without craniofacial conditions were compared on perceived incidence and frequency of school-based peer victimization and resultant distress; the relationship of craniofacial disfigurement severity to victimization incidence and frequency was also assessed. A deliberately biased sample—over-representing greater disfigurement—of 85 young people (9 to 16 years of age), continuing or having completed treatment for a craniofacial condition, were rated on current disfigurement severity, and responded to an extended version of the Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale (DIAS) presented as a structured telephone interview. Fifty-five matched school peers without craniofacial conditions responded to the same interview. Greater craniofacial disfigurement was associated with greater likelihood and frequency of being targeted with certain aggressive behaviours identified from the craniofacial literature. However, no more young people with, than without, craniofacial conditions experienced frequent victimization, considerable emotional distress or references to their appearance. This study provides a social comparison for victimized young people with craniofacial conditions. Knowing that those without disfigurement are also victimized may help ease their disfigurement-related cognitions. This study highlights the limitations of surgical correction for disfigurement, and promotes a more realistic view for victimization experiences and intervention options.

“You just stare at them and give them daggers”: Nonverbal Expressions of Social Aggression in Teenage Girls

ABSTRACT Social aggression is aimed at hurting others through damaging their peer relationships, and occurs more typically among girls than boys, especially in the teenage years. We have previously reported that Australian teenage girls and their teachers explain such behaviours in terms of friendship-group processes and creating excitement. While verbal behaviours such as spreading rumours play an important part, this paper presents evidence that nonverbal behaviours are also an important aspect of social aggression, serving functions such as conveying dislike and excluding individuals from peer groups. Such behaviours are often subtle and can be used in ways which enable offenders to protest their innocence. Implications for interventions to alleviate the damaging effects of social aggression are discussed.

Predictors of teacher intervention in indirect bullying at school and outcome of a professional development presentation for teachers

This study with 326 girls-school teachers developed and tested a model of predictors of the likelihood that teachers will intervene in indirect bullying, and evaluated a professional development presentation. Teachers responded to bullying vignettes before and after a presentation on indirect bullying (Experimentals) or adolescent mental health (Controls). In accord with the model, perceived seriousness of indirect bullying mediated between empathy for victims and likelihood of intervening. Self-efficacy also had a direct effect on likelihood of intervention, though level of knowledge of the impact of indirect bullying made only a small contribution. Compared with Controls, the Experimental Group scored more highly, after the presentation, on perceived seriousness of indirect bullying, empathy for victims, likelihood of intervening and self-efficacy, but not on knowledge of impact. It is concluded that teacher education about indirect bullying may be most effective if it focuses on feelings rather than facts, and provides practical intervention strategies.

Children’s experience of living with a craniofacial condition: Perspectives of children and parents

This is the first study to examine the range of experiences of children living with a wide range of craniofacial anomalies (CFAs), from the perspectives of children and parents. We interviewed 26 young people and 28 parents about both stressors and positive aspects for young people of living with a CFA. Thematic analysis revealed four major stress-related themes (self-acceptance, responses of others, disabilities and impairments, and treatment). Positive themes included personal qualities and support. Psychological theories often applied to those with CFAs relate to attractiveness, stigma and teasing, but the present findings suggest that these are not as useful as the conceptualization of CFAs as chronic conditions which influence adaptive tasks. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Special Education Policy and Practice in Australia

With growing numbers of Australian children receiving Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, special educators will increasingly be expected to provide interventions. We outline Australian special education policy and practice regarding ADHD in the public school context. Drawing upon American comparisons, we consider how recent government legislation may have made the label ‘disability’ appear pragmatic to those seeking special education assistance, and discuss whether making ADHD an educational disability category would expand the range of interventions currently available. Although biological aspects of ADHD have received much attention, the important social aspects remain relatively unexplored. We propose that a socially sensitive reconceptualisation will assist special educators to better meet the needs of young people with impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive behaviours.

Children's Eyewitness Memory for a Repeated Event.

OBJECTIVE This study examined a significant issue for chronic sexual abuse investigations: Childrens eyewitness testimony about repeated events. The few previous studies focused on preschoolers and none used the present methodology of presenting repeated events differing slightly in their details, as would happen in chronic abuse. METHOD One group of 6- to 7-year-olds played individually with an experimenter on one occasion; the other group experienced three such events, with some details remaining the same and others changing. In a phased interview, children were questioned about the initial event. RESULTS For details which stayed the same, the children who experienced three events had more accurate memories. They had poorer memories than the single-event group for details which were changed in the later events; however, this was due to interference errors, with errors of omission and commission being lower than in the single-event group. Children conveyed clearly that inappropriate touching did not occur. CONCLUSIONS Children who experience repeated events have increased recall for repeated details but confuse the timing of details which change across events. The findings support previous suggestions that (a) it is unrealistic to expect children to be able to report repeated events without some confusion about timing of details and (b) children are resistant to misleading questions about abuse.