Effectiveness of Treatment for Relational Aggression in Urban African American Girls

Relational aggression, also known as "female bullying," is a type of psychological
aggression in which covert tactics are used to harm other people and their relationships.
These tactics include humiliation, intimidation, coercing, shaming, malicious teasing,
shunning, and using other forms of emotional abuse in an attempt to harm others. Although
aggressive behavior is typically common among younger children, most children become less
aggressive as they mature and develop better interpersonal skills. However, consistent
aggressive behavior can lead to further problems and increased violence in the aggressor. In
this study, a social cognitive anger management group intervention called Friend to Friend
(F2F) will be evaluated as a way to develop more productive social and emotional functioning
among relationally aggressive urban African American girls.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the F2F program or a psycho-educational
attention control (PAC) group. All participants will attend 40-minute treatment sessions
twice a week for a total of 10 weeks. The sessions will occur during the girls' lunch or
recess period. Participants assigned to the F2F program will learn how to identify signs of
physiological arousal, react to a potential conflict while generating alternatives to the
solution, and apply previously discussed social cognitive strategies to different
situations. Culturally specific cartoons, videotape illustrations, and role playing will be
used to portray these improved strategies and behaviors. Participants assigned to the PAC
group will learn different organization and homework strategies as well as how to improve
their study skills in an attempt to improve their overall academic performance. Outcomes
will be assessed through observation, school reports, and questionnaires for all
participants at baseline, immediately after treatment, and 9 months after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria for Schools :

- Urban school located in Southwest Philadelphia

- Student body is more than 80% African American

- Large school with at least three classrooms per grade

- Not currently involved with systematic anti-aggression social skills program

Inclusion Criteria for Participants:

- In the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade

- Meets diagnostic criteria for relational aggression

Exclusion Criteria for Participants:

- Enrolled in special education and not integrated into a regular education classroom