Cross-cultural evidence of female indirect aggression

Three types of aggressive behavior (physical, verbal, and indirect) were investigated by help of peer estimations based on The Direct & Indirect Aggression Scales (DIAS) (Finland: Abo Akademi University) [Bjorkqvist et al., 1992b]. Aggressive behavior of adolescents of three age groups (8, 11, and 15 years old), in Finland, (Finnish and Swedish speakers),Israel (secular and religious Israelis),Italy,and Poland were studied (n=2094). Indirect aggression was, in proportional terms, the aggressive style mostly used by girls, across nations, ethnic groups, and age groups studied. Verbal aggression was their second most used: style, and physical aggression was applied least often by girls. Among boys, indirect aggression was, in all ages, the least used aggressive style. Physical and verbal aggression was, by boys, used equally often at ages 8 and 11, while, at the age of 15, verbal aggression had surpassed physical aggression and was the most used style. Scores of victimization to other's aggression showed somewhat similar trends. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.