The phenomenon of female teenage violence within the last decade has been receiving rapid social interest and concern. The present study is concerned with exploring causes for teenage girl violence. Specifically, this qualitative study seeks to explore and describe teenage girl violence from the experiences and perspectives of girls aged 16 to 19 years of age whom have been in the past arrested and/or incarcerated for violent crimes. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewing format. Five teenaged girls having current or past involvement with the Child Welfare system were interviewed. Despite the study's limitations, findings indicated several variations on similar common themes. These themes are discussed using three main categories of findings: (1) entrance into the legal system, (2) social aspects and (3) cultural presence. The need for describing and understanding why teenage girls act out violently in the ways they do was evident from the perspective of the girls themselves.

Thesis (Ph.D. )--Duquesne University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 252-288) and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-187).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-44). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-197).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Notre Dame, 2005. / Thesis directed by John G. Borkowski for the Department of Psychology. "July 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-44).

Thesis (doctoral)--La Salle University, 2002. / ProQuest dissertations and theses ; AAT 3108289. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-78).

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Ho, Man Yee. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-111). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledge --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Historical Overview of Resilience Research --- p.3 / Definitions and Theoretical Models of Resilience --- p.4 / Definitions and Operationalization of Risk --- p.11 / Definitions and Operationalization of Adjustment Outcomes --- p.19 / Definitions and Operationalization of Protective Factors or Mechanisms --- p.23 / "Comparisons of Resilient, Maladaptive, Competent and Incompetent Adolescents" --- p.30 / Objectives of this Study and Hypotheses --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Method --- p.36 / Participants --- p.36 / Procedure --- p.37 / Measures --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.42 / Overview --- p.42 / Bivariate Correlations among the Variables --- p.45 / Multiple Regression Analyses of Overall Violence Exposure --- p.48 / Multiple Regression Analyses of Community Violence Exposure --- p.52 / Multiple Regression Analyses of School Violence Exposure --- p.57 / Multiple Regression Analyses of Domestic Violence Exposure --- p.61 / Exploratory Analysis of Gender Effect on Adjustment Outcomes --- p.66 / "Multiple analyses of variance of Resilient, Maladaptive, Competent and Incompetent Adolescents" --- p.79 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.84 / Overall Exposure to Violence and Adjustment Outcomes --- p.84 / Specific Forms and Settings of Violence Exposure and Adjustment Outcomes --- p.86 / Personality and Adjustment Outcomes --- p.90 / Protective / Vulnerability Factor --- p.92 / Personality Profile of Resilient Adolescents --- p.95 / Limitations and Directions for Future Research --- p.97 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Conclusions --- p.99 / References --- p.100 / Appendix --- p.112

Adolescent females are committing an increasing number of violent interpersonal acts. This study used the qualitative technique of focus group interviews to explore social control and self-control factors which impact such behaviors. Forty-seven girls aged 10-18 years described situations and events where interpersonal violence might be used and also what might prevent such acts. For the girls interviewed, social controls were the predominant means of controlling the use of interpersonal violence. Family and peer groups were the most powerful social controls, whether positive or negative. Self-control was deemed important but most girls lacked either the skills or desire to engage in self-control. Violence prevention programs need to teach techniques for improving self-control and increasing self-concept to be most effective.