Measuring Aggression in Children and Youth: How You Get Your Data and Why it Matters

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

The goal of our roundtable is to discuss issues surrounding the choice of data source in collecting data on child and youth aggression. In particular, we will examine self-report, peer-report, social network and observational methods of collecting data on child and youth aggression. Research has shown that while there are persistent correlations between all of the methods, these correlations remain small to modest. This suggests that these different methods may be capturing somewhat different perspectives on aggressive behavior and victimization. Interestingly, the various methods appear to offer good construct validity with each other. The first goal of our roundtable is therefore to advance the science of developmental research on child and youth aggression by discussing the theoretical underpinnings of each source of data and how those may relate to common and unique precursors and outcomes.
The second goal will be to discuss the shared and unique methodologies that are associated with collecting the various sources of data, including ethical, developmental and practical challenges. An expert in each methodology will present their experience with various means of collecting one of the four sources of data. By sharing this expertise, we aim to build the capacity of SRCD members to accurately collect child and youth aggression data from different sources. The roundtable will conclude with a lengthy audience-focused discussion of these methods in order to engage audience members in an open discussion of the methodological and theoretical challenges and opportunities associated with different sources of child and youth aggression data.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Moderator

• Anthony A Volk, Brock University

Panelists

• Antonius H. N. Cillessen, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen

• Wendy Craig, Queen’s University

• René Veenstra, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (UG/RUG)