Gender Differences in Reading Skill and Problem Behavior in Elementary School

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore interactions among reading skill, problem behavior, and gender across elementary school. A 6-year, longitudinal study ( N = 473) was conducted to identify the relations among these variables and change in relations from kindergarten to Grade 5. Students’ reading skills and levels of problem behavior were examined. Mixed model analyses of variance indicated no differences in reading skill by gender, but a significant gender interaction for problem behavior. Correlations by grade level showed weak, negative correlations between reading and behavior for female students and statistically significant, negative correlations for male students. Results did not support the need to differentiate reading instruction by gender but suggest that multimethod assessment of problem behavior would be beneficial for all students.