Abstract
ObjectiveTo examine the implications of an ontology of aggressive behavior which divides aggression into reactive, affective, defensive, impulsive (RADI) or "emotionally hot"; and planned, instrumental, predatory (PIP) or "emotionally cold." Recent epidemiological, criminological, clinical and neuroscience studies converge to support a connection between emotional and trauma related psychopathology and disturbances in the emotions, self-regulation and aggressive behavior which has important implications for diagnosis and treatment, especially for delinquent populations.MethodSelective review of preclinical and clinical studies in normal, clinical and delinquent populations.ResultsIn delinquent populations we observe an increase in psychopathology, and especially trauma related psychopathology which impacts emotions and self-regulation in a manner that hotly emotionally charged acts of aggression become more likely. The identification of these disturbances can be supported by findings in cognitive neuroscience. These hot aggressive acts can be delineated from planned or emotionally cold aggression.ConclusionOur findings support a typology of diagnostic labels for disruptive behaviors, such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, as it appears that these acts of hot emotional aggression are a legitimate target for psychopharmacological and other trauma specific interventions. The identification of this subtype of disruptive behavior disorders leads to more specific clinical interventions which in turn promise to improve hitherto unimpressive treatment outcomes of delinquents and patients with disruptive behavior.
Highlights
One of the potentially most fruitful contributions of developmental psychiatry to human health is the study of delinquent populations
Boys have more problems with PIP aggression (14% vs. 5%) while girls report higher levels of RADI aggression (19% vs. 9%). This is of special interest, as we have reported that girls have almost twice the rates of psychopathology in this population, especially trauma related psychopathology [68]
We are able to show that of the two forms of aggression, the emotionally hot RADI form has a much closer relationship to disturbances of emotional functioning, as in PTSD, Dissociative Disorder, Bipolar Disorder
Summary
In delinquent populations we observe an increase in psychopathology, and especially trauma related psychopathology which impacts emotions and self-regulation in a manner that hotly emotionally charged acts of aggression become more likely. The identification of these disturbances can be supported by findings in cognitive neuroscience. These hot aggressive acts can be delineated from planned or emotionally cold aggression
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have