Association between anxiety and aggression in adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Jee Eun Chung,Gonjin Song,Joo Hee Kim,Hye Sun Gwak,Jeong Yee,Kyung Eun Lee,Kitai Kim

doi:10.1186/s12887-019-1479-6

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety proneness and aggressive behavior in adolescents.MethodsA quantitative, large scale cross-sectional study was conducted in Korea. The survey questionnaire included general health behavior and scales for assessing anxiety (Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale; RCMAS) and aggressive behavior (The Aggression Questionnaire; AQ) in adolescents.ResultsA total of 2432 students participated in the survey, and 1933 individuals completed the questionnaire, indicating a response rate of 79.5%. Based on RCMAS, 163 (8.4%) subjects were classified as the anxiety group. Aggressive behavior was significantly associated with higher anxiety scores. In particular, among four subdomains of aggression, anger and hostility had a stronger relationship with anxiety than did physical and verbal aggression. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that anxiety was independently associated with gender, age, headache, constipation, asthma, and aggression score. Adolescents with total aggression scores of 69 or higher showed a 9-fold (AOR = 9.00, CI = 6.33–13.51) higher risk of anxiety compared to those with under 69.ConclusionAggression and anxiety are important aspects of mental health in adolescents. Our results demonstrated that higher risk of anxiety was associated with total aggression scores. In particular, indirect aggression (i.e. anger and hostility) was more closely associated with anxiety than direct aggression.

Highlights

Adolescence is a critical developmental period by which social, emotional, and physical changes to the body can build up negative self-perceptions [1]
A total of 163 (8.4%) adolescents were classified as anxiety group based on Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and 69.9% of them were girls
Adolescents under the age of 15 were more likely to be in anxiety group than those older than 15

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is a critical developmental period by which social, emotional, and physical changes to the body can build up negative self-perceptions [1]. Previous studies have shown that adolescent behavior is highly determined by emotions [2, 3], whereas aggression in adolescent males was a risk factor for the development of internalizing problems such as anxiety and depression [4]. Behavioral disorders often involve aggressive behavior that can be manifested physically, verbally, and socially. Aggression is the most widely researched of all child behavior problems and is described in two main forms, namely direct-physical aggression and indirect-relational aggression, depending on their method of harm [6]. Direct aggression harms others by damaging their physical well-being and includes physically and verbally aggressive behavior, while indirect aggression harms others by damaging social relationships [7]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety proneness and aggressive behavior in adolescents

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Conclusion