Date of Conferral

9-1-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Susan Marcus

Abstract

The prevalence of physical aggression among women has increased, challenging traditional gender norms that portray women as nurturing and nonviolent. While most research on aggression has focused on men, children, or intimate partner violence, research is sparse concerning female aggression outside familial contexts. In this qualitative multiple-case study, the contextual antecedents of nonfamilial aggression in women arrested for aggressive behavior were explored using the general aggression model as the theoretical framework. Data were obtained from 20 publicly documented cases using archival sources such as media stories, court documents, and video recordings. According to thematic and document analysis, aggressive behavior was influenced by both distal (e.g., mental illness, substance misuse, trauma, personality traits) and proximate (e.g., emotional arousal, situational stress, hostile attribution bias) factors. The key themes included premeditation, substance use, impulsivity, mental illness, relationship conflict, manipulation, and disproportionate responses to stress. Findings challenge female behavioral assumptions of aggression and highlight the need for female-specific interventions and policies. This qualitative study helps to deepen the understanding of female aggressiveness and has significance for criminal justice, mental health, and social services. The potential social change implications of this research include a better knowledge of nonfamilial aggression in women and efforts to create opportunities to communicate my results in facilities that serve women who have become involved with the criminal justice system.

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