Abstract
Informed by the Big Five personality and General Aggression Model (GAD), this study sought to examine the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and socio-demographic determinants of aggression among adolescents in Kenya. The respondents were adolescent girls aged 12-17 (n=86) admitted to the rehabilitation institutions. An adapted Aggression Questionnaire (A.Q.), the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and Socio-Demographic Questionnaires were used to gather data. Results showed a significant weak negative correlation between extraversion personality traits and physical aggression (r= -0.051, p>0.05), as well as a weak, but significant, negative correlation between extraversion personality traits and verbal aggression (r= 0.282, p<0.05). In addition, the agreeableness was not significantly correlated to physical aggression (r=0.001, p >0.05), while the neuroticism/emotional stable personality traits had a weak, but significant, negative association with physical aggression (r= -0.257, p<0.05), verbal aggression (r=-0.241, p<0.05) and hostility (r=-0.369, p<0.05. The findings imply that various personality types will respond aggressively or non-aggressively to situations. In this study, the adolescent girls who were in neuroticism personality type were more likely to display various forms of aggression compared to those who were in agreeableness, conscientiousness and opens types. Further, this study concludes that not all extraverted types are likely to become physically aggressive, although they are more likely to become verbally aggressive. Key words: Adolescent; aggression; aggressive behaviors; personality; socio-demographic; Kenya.
Highlights
Aggressive behavior in children and adolescents is often a concern for parents and teachers
The results revealed that 8% of the respondents had attempted murder, 45% were involved in drug abuse, 53% were involved in stealing, 41% had absconded school, 19% had escaped from home, 4% were involved in street gambling, while 29% were rescued from the streets
The present study examined the relationship between personality types and socio-demographic influence on aggressive behaviors in adolescent girls aged between 12-17 years in rehabilitation programs
Summary
Aggressive behavior in children and adolescents is often a concern for parents and teachers. Studies show that aggressive behaviors during adolescence may have longterm effects (Broidy et al, 2003; DeWall et al, 2011). Aggression is defined as a behavioral act that results in hurting or harming others to increase the one’s social dominance in relation to others (Anderson and Bushman, 2002; Crick et al, 1999; Ferguson and Beaver, 2009; Zirpoli, 2008).
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