Principal Investigator: Dr. Marlene M. Moretti
Co-Investigators: Dr. Margaret Jackson, Dr. Candice Odgers, Dr. Dick Reppucci

This research program builds on our longitudinal study of high-risk adolescent youth in Canada and the US obtained through under a CIHR New Emerging Team grant (Aggressive and violent girls: contributing factors, developmental course & intervention strategies) directed by Dr. Marlene Moretti and funded through the Institute of Sex, Gender and Health. The sample was strategically drawn to represent girls at the highest level of risk for engagement in aggression and antisocial behaviour from Canada and the US. A matched sample of adolescent boys was also recruited. Adolescents referred to a provincial centre mandated to serve youth with serious aggressive and antisocial behaviour and youth detained in custody centers were assessed at two time points using a comprehensive protocol that tapped information on behavioural patterns, family, peer and romantic partner life experiences including exposure to maltreatment and other forms of adversity, child mental health problems, social-relational functioning; social cognitive, school and intellectual functioning; self-regulatory capacity; and personality characteristics.

This research program extends our follow-up of these youth at three additional points across a five year period. Combined with existing data, this research will permit mapping of trajectories from early adolescence (age 13/14) to early adulthood (age 23/24). New waves of data collection assess a wider range of range of functional domains including adjustment in educational, vocational, romantic and parental roles. In addition, physical health outcomes will be evaluated.  Both quantitative and qualitative methods are being used examine issues of cultural and social marginalization. Of particular interest is whether similar themes will emerge across girls of cultural minority status in Canada and the US; and whether experiences are shared across girls growing up in contexts characterized by varying levels of socioeconomic deprivation. This study will generate new findings on developmental trajectories among high-risk Canadian girls. It is the first comparative investigation of risk profiles and trajectories between Canadian and American girls.

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