Gender differences in developmental links among antisocial behavior, friends' antisocial behavior, and peer rejection in childhood: results from two cultures

Child Dev. 2005 Jul-Aug;76(4):841-55. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2005.00881.x.

Abstract

This study addressed gender differences in the developmental links among antisocial behavior, friends' antisocial behavior, and peer rejection. High and increasing, moderate, and low antisocial developmental trajectories were identified among 289 Dutch children, ages 7 to 10, and 445 French-Canadian children, ages 9 to 12. Only boys followed the high trajectory. These boys had more deviant friends and were more often rejected than other children. A minority of girls followed the moderate antisocial behavior trajectory. These girls had fewer deviant friends than moderate antisocial boys, but moderate antisocial boys and girls were equally likely to be rejected. The influence of friends and poor peer relations plays a crucial but different role in the development of antisocial behavior among boys and girls.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Child
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Delinquency / psychology
  • Juvenile Delinquency / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Peer Group*
  • Personality Development
  • Psychometrics
  • Quebec
  • Rejection, Psychology*
  • Risk
  • Self Concept
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Facilitation*
  • Sociometric Techniques