Gender differences in young adolescents' experiences of peer victimization: Social and physical aggression

Gender differences were explored in experiences of social and physical aggression of adolescents (39 boys and 37 girls; mean age 13.8). They reported the frequency of experiencing physical aggression and social aggression, described in detail past incidents of peer victimization, and completed the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. The most common social aggression reported was being gossiped about, and the majority of adolescents reported that the aggressor was of the same gender. Although both genders reported equal frequencies of social aggression, girls thought about it more and were more distressed by it than were boys. Frequency of social aggression was more strongly related to girls' self-concepts than to boys'. This research provides evidence that young adolescents, and especially victimized girls, are hurt by social aggression.