Additional

resources for you

and your child
What is social
aggression?
Social aggression is
behavior intended to harm
anothers social status,
self-esteem, friendships,
etc. using non-physical
means. Social aggression
may be more common
than physical aggression
and can sometimes hurt
young girls more than
physical violence. It takes
form as relationship
manipulation, social
exclusion, demeaning
facial expressions or
reputation attacking.

http://www.bullyingprevention.org/

http://www.stopbullying.gov/

http://bullyingnoway.gov.au/

http://nobullying.com/anti-bullying-
games/

https://www.kidpower.org/library/art
icle/shunning/

Occidental College
Developmental Psychology
Liza Comart, Miranda C amozzi,
Danwen (Della) T ang, Mika Kato
[Web Address]

A Parents
Guide to
Indirect
Aggression

What is Relational
Aggression?
Relational Aggression is a
form of bullying involving
emotional manipulation and
friendship exploitation with
the intention of harming a
peer. RA is most typical in
girls, while physical
aggression is more common
amongst boys. RA takes the
form of cyber-bulling,
sarcastic comments,
teasing, and distancing
oneself from a friend by
joining other cliques.

How to cope with indirect aggression

The first and foremost way to cope
with any type of aggression is to
recognize it and take steps to
intervene or even prevent it. Both
mothers and fathers play a role in the
prevention of bullying.
The best methods to prevention
include teaching your own child
morality, forgiveness and empathy.
Also, being a model for your child is
extremely important; try to monitor
your own gossiping, praise your
daughter when she is kind to others
and model to her how to form and
maintain strong, healthy relationships.

Intervening in your daughters life

whether she is an aggressor or a victim

can be a much harder task. Try to stay
involved as much as possible in your
daughters activities; go to school
events, meetings, play dates, etc. The
more aware you are of your daughters
situation the more likely you will be
able to recognize RA and step in.
Recognizing RA early is key. Talk to
your daughter and her friends if you
see them engaging in aggressive
behavior with other girls and teach
them the proper way to interact with
each other.