title: Having to fight.
abstract: Existing research that attempts to understand aggressive behavior often focuses on adults and/or individual traits. The present study used a Grounded Theory approach to develop a theoretical framework of how younger adolescents constructed an understanding of their own aggressive behavior within the social context of their lives. The participants were 11 adolescents (aged 12-16) who had previously been involved in incidents of aggression at a school for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. The identified theoretical framework outlined that aggressive behavior was fundamental to an identity of toughness that participants sought to portray to others. This identity emerged in a hostile peer environment to prevent victimization and establish friendships. The findings are discussed in relation to their clinical implications, limitations, and possibilities for further research.
authors: Calderstones Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire, UK. simon.crowther@calderstones.nhs.uk
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Crowther
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Goodson
authors: James
authors: J
authors: McGuire
authors: Joanne M
authors: JM
authors: Dickson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom