The Dynamics of Aggressive Behavior in Childhood and Adolescence and the Role of School: Implication for Practice

Abstract

Problematic/aggressive behavior in children and adolescents stems from complex interactions between developing self-patterns and contextual influences, but also holds a symbolic and subconscious meaning related to each child’s and adolescent’s inner reality and experiences. This review presents the theoretical background, the scientific rationale and the practical implications of an innovative multidimensional model for addressing problematic/ aggressive behavior of children and adolescents at school. This model, based on extensive clinical work with children and adolescents and research evidence from its implementation in Greek schools, incorporates the psychodynamic, interpersonal, social, cognitive and multi-systemic perspective, offering a holistic approach intervention. On a practical level, this model translates to the application of a variety of techniques by a multidisciplinary team and involves individual support, psychotherapy, counseling and guidance of children themselves, their families and their teachers. This model moves away from the traditional psychiatric view of children’s problematic behaviour, promoting a comprehensive school-based mental health framework that appears to be promising in addressing children’s and adolescents’ behavior problems and emotional difficulties.