Subtypes Of Aggression Research Articles

Why does a grateful mind prevent an aggressive hand? Perspective taking mediated the relation between gratitude and two types of aggression among individuals in the general population and prisoners

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that gratitude can reduce aggression via enhanced empathy. However, further research is needed to distinguish different subtypes of empathy and aggression, and to evaluate the relationship among highly aggressive individuals. The current study investigated the roles of two subtypes of empathy (perspective taking and empathic concern) in the relationship between gratitude and two subtypes of aggression (reactive and proactive aggressions) among general population (N = 363, Study 1) and male prisoners (N = 241, Study 2). In both studies, parallel mediational analyses supported that perspective taking, rather than empathic concern, plays a critical role in correlating gratitude with two subtypes of aggression. This effect was more significant in prisoners than in the community population. These findings enhance the understanding of the underlying mechanism linking gratitude to aggression and imply a new promising target for gratitude-based interventions to reduce aggression in prisoners.

Cortical volume alterations in the limbic network in adolescents with high reactive aggression.

Previous studies show aggression-related structural alterations in frontal and limbic brain regions. Most studies have focused on overall aggression, instead of its subtypes, and on specific regions instead of networks. This study aims to identify both brain networks and regions that are associated with reactive and proactive subtypes of aggression. Structural MRI data were collected from 340 adolescents (125 F/215 M) with a mean age of 16.29 (SD = 1.20). Aggression symptomology was indexed via the Reactive Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ). Freesurfer was used to estimate Cortical Volume (CV) from seven networks and regions within specific networks associated with aggression. Two multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) were conducted on groups for low versus higher reactive and proactive RPQ scores. Our reactive aggression MANCOVA showed a main effect in CV [F(14,321) = 1.935, p = 0.022,ηp2 = 0.078] across all the 7-Networks. Unpacking this main effect revealed significant volumetric differences in the right Limbic Network (LN) (p = 0.029) and the Temporal Pole (p = 0.011), where adolescents in the higher reactive aggression group showed higher cortical volumes. Such findings are consistent with region/voxel-specific analyses that have associated atypical structure within the LN and reactive aggression. Moreover, the temporal pole is highly interconnected with regions important in the regulation and initiation of reactive aggression.

Self-injury and suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents involved in different subtypes of aggression: The role of gender

BackgroundAlthough aggression associated self-injury and suicidal ideation, but the specific impact of different subtypes of aggression is unclear. Therefore, the current study aims to quantify the associations between five subtypes of aggression, self-injury, and suicidal ideation in Chinese adolescents. MethodA total of 18,532 students were recruited in grades 7 to 12 using a stratified cluster sampling across five representative provinces in China. The Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (CH-FASM) and Buss and Warren's Aggression Questionnaire (BWAQ) assess self-injury and aggression, respectively. ResultsDuring the last year, the proportion of self-injury, suicidal ideation, and self-injury plus suicidal ideation (SSI) were 13.4 %, 10.0 %, 12.4 %, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that hostility was associated with self-injury-only (OR = 1.033, 95 % CI = 1.021–1.044), suicidal ideation-only (OR = 1.075, 95 % CI = 1.061–1.088), and SSI (OR = 1.100, 95 % CI = 1.087–1.114) (all P < 0.001) across five subtypes of aggression. In gender stratification, physical aggression was risk factor for self-injury-only, suicidal ideation-only, and SSI (OR = 1.028, 95 % CI = 1.018–1.037, P < 0.001) in females. While anger was association with self-injury-only and suicidal ideation-only in males (P < 0.05). LimitationsThis study was a cross-sectional design and self-reported questionnaire. ConclusionHostility is a strong predictor of self-injury and suicidal ideation across five subtypes of aggression. There are gender differences in relationships. Prevention programs for adolescents' self-injury and suicidal ideation should consider different subtypes of aggression and gender differences.

The Interplay between Fear Reactivity and Callous-Unemotional Traits Predicting Reactive and Proactive Aggression.

Research has indicated that youths with CU traits are fearless, and this fearlessness plays a bidirectional role in both the development of CU traits and engagement in aggressive behavior. However, research specifically testing the role of fear in the association between CU traits and aggression is scarce. The goal of the current study was to test if fear reactivity, both conscious (self-report) and automatic (skin conductance reactivity; SCR), moderated the association between CU traits and aggression subtypes (reactive and proactive aggression). Participants included 161 adolescents (Mage = 15 years) diagnosed with conduct disorder. CU traits were assessed using the self-report Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits. Conscious and automatic fear reactivity were measured during a virtual reality rollercoaster using the Self-Assessment Manikin and skin conductance reactivity (SCR), respectively. Hierarchical regressions found that high fear reactivity on SCR moderated the link between CU traits and reactive aggression, while feeling more excited during fear induction moderated the link between CU traits and proactive aggression. Overall, a possible explanation of our divergent findings between conscious and automatic fear may be the difference between the instinctual biological response to threat versus the cognitive and emotional appraisal and experience of threat. Implications for intervention strategies targeting emotional recognition and regulation in reducing aggression in CD populations are discussed.

The neurofunctional basis of human aggression varies by levels of femininity

ABSTRACT Aggression can be categorized into reactive aggression (RA) and proactive aggression (PA) based on their underlying motivations. However, previous research has rarely identified the relationship between femininity and RA/PA, and there is a lack of understanding regarding the femininity-related neurofunctional basis of these aggressive behaviors. Thus, this study first examined the relationships between femininity and aggression, then explored the aggression-by-femininity interactions on the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations using resting-state fMRI among 705 university participants (mean age = 19.14 ± 0.99). The behavioral data indicated that femininity was more negatively associated with RA and PA when masculinity was controlled for. Additionally, the neural data revealed that femininity-specific relationships of RA in the left middle occipital gyrus (i.e. individuals with low femininity had positive relationships between RA and the left middle occipital gyrus, whereas those with high femininity had negative relationships) as well as of PA in the left middle frontal gyrus (i.e. individuals with high femininity showed significant negative relationships, whereas those with low femininity did not exhibit significant relationships). These findings reflect that individuals with varying levels of femininity exhibit distinct neural bases when expressing different subtypes of aggression, which are associated with societal expectations of gender.

Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression.

Youths with high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits and aggression are at an increased risk for developing antisocial behaviours into adulthood. In this population, neurostructural grey matter abnormalities have been observed in the prefrontal cortex. However, the directionality of these associations is inconsistent, prompting some to suggest they may vary across development. Although similar neurodevelopmental patterns have been observed for other disorders featuring emotional and behavioural dysregulation, few studies have tested this hypothesis for CU traits, and particularly not for aggression subtypes. The current study sought to examine grey matter correlates of CU traits and aggression (including its subtypes), and then determine whether these associations varied by age. Fifty-four youths (10-19years old) who were characterized for CU traits and aggression underwent MRI. Grey matter volume and surface area within the anterior cingulate cortex was positively associated with CU traits. The correlation between CU traits and medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) volume varied significantly as a function of age, as did the correlation between reactive aggression and mOFC surface area. These associations became more positive with age. There were no significant findings for proactive/total aggression. Results are interpreted considering the potential for delayed cortical maturation in youths with high CU traits/aggression.

Verbal, physical and relational aggression: individual differences in emotion and cognitive regulation strategies

Cognitive and emotion regulation strategies play an influential role in the display of aggression, however much of this research has failed to identify specific regulation strategies related to aggression. The study’s objective was to assess how emotional processes and the habitual use of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies are associated with trait aggression. Participants (N = 306; Mage = 33.79; SD = 13.29), completed a self-report survey battery assessing four subtypes of trait aggression (physical, verbal and romantic relational and peer-directed relational), emotion (anger, hostility) and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (blaming others, blaming self, ruminating, catastrophizing). Results indicated that anger and hostility (the emotion based variables) had greater influence on all subtypes of trait aggression (physical, verbal, and relational aggression), compared to cognitive emotion regulation strategies which had less of an influence. Blaming others had a positive association with physical and peer directed relational aggression. Low levels of rumination were associated with physical aggression, while low levels of self-blame were associated with peer directed relational aggression. Findings suggest that maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies have differential impact on different forms of aggressive behavior.

Associations Between Subtypes of Empathy and Aggression in High-Risk Adolescents

Associations Between Subtypes of Empathy and Aggression in High-Risk Adolescents

Labor Migration of Parents and Aggression Among Their Offspring in China

In China, parental labor migration often leaves children behind and is potentially adversely associated with children's health. However, the association between parental migration and aggression among their offspring remains largely underexplored. To investigate the associations of parental labor migration with total and subtypes of aggression among their offspring as well as potential sex differences therein. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to October 2015 among students aged 11 to 20 years from 45 public middle and high schools across 5 provinces of China. Data analysis was performed from December 1, 2022, to August 1, 2023. Parental migration, including migration status (yes or no), pattern (father, mother, or both), and the child's age at the initial parent-child separation. Total and subtypes of aggression (including physical aggression [PA], verbal aggression [VA], indirect aggression [IA], anger, and hostility) were measured using the Chinese version of the Buss-Warren Aggression Questionnaire. Binomial logistic regression analyses were used separately to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs of parental migration by total and subtypes of aggression. A total of 15 301 participants (7900 [51.6%] male and 7401 [48.4%] female) aged 11 to 20 years (mean [SD] age, 15.1 [1.8] years) were included. Of these participants, 5961 (39.0%) experienced parental migration; 2451 (16.0%) met the criteria for total aggression, 2407 (15.7%) for PA, 2283 (14.9%) for VA, 2899 (18.9%) for IA, 2307 (15.1%) for anger, and 2564 (16.8%) for hostility. Parental migration was associated with total aggression (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22); no significant association between parental migration and subtypes of aggression was found except for PA (aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03-1.25). Compared with children whose parents did not migrate, the aORs for total aggression and PA for participants whose father migrated were 1.12 (95% CI, 1.01-1.28) and 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-1.29), respectively; for participants with both parents having migrated, the aORs were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.02-1.31) and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.04-1.24), respectively. Compared with children whose parents did not migrate, children who experienced initial separation from 1 or both parents at adolescence had an aOR for total aggression of 1.20 (95% CI, 1.04-1.36), children who experienced initial separation from 1 or both parents at school age or adolescence had an aOR for PA of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.01-1.32) and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.04-1.51), respectively. No sex differences were found in these associations. In this cross-sectional study of Chinese children and adolescents, we found that parental migration, mainly of the father or both parents or an initial separation at adolescence or school age from 1 or both parents, was associated with higher odds of total aggression and PA among offspring. These associations were similar between male and female participants.

42 Does dorsolateral prefrontal cortical functioning moderate the relation between conduct problems and aggression among youth exposed to community violence?

Objective:Youth with conduct problems (CP) may be more likely to exhibit aggression in the context of peer relations. Indices of dorsolateral prefrontal cortical functioning (DPCF), such as inhibitory control and planning, may be implicated in the behavioral presentation of CP. Further, youth living in violent communities may be more likely to use aggression as a means for problem-solving. However, little is known about how CP interact with DPCF indices to predict aggressive behaviors specifically in the context of environments with high levels of community violence. As such, the present study sought to use a multi-informant approach to examine relations between CP, DCPF, and different types of aggression among youth living in neighborhoods affected by community violence.Participants and Methods:Participants were 104 children (M=9.93±1.22 years; 50% male; 96% African American, 4% Latinx) who resided in neighborhoods with elevated rates of poverty and crime. DPCF was indexed by Stockings of Cambridge planning task and caregiver-reported inhibitory control from the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Teachers completed the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-4R to assess youth conduct disorder (CD) symptoms and the Teacher Checklist to assess proactive (bullying, planful aggression) and reactive (angry, emotionally labile aggression) aggression.Results:Multiple regression analyses were conducted with aggressive behaviors as the dependent variable, and child sex, age, CD symptoms, and the CD × DPCF (i.e., CD × inhibitory control; CD × planning) interaction terms as predictors. Inhibitory control moderated the relation between CD symptoms and reactive (CD × inhibitory control, B = -1.39, p = .004) but not proactive (CD × inhibitory control, B = -.64, p = .063) aggression. Post-hoc probing of the CD symptoms × inhibitory control interaction term predicting reactive aggression revealed a significant slope for youth with both high (B = 1.65, p &lt; .001) and low (B = 4.48, p &lt; .001) levels of inhibitory control. Planning does not significantly moderate the relation between CD symptoms and proactive or reactive aggression, though there is a positive main effect of teacher reported CD symptoms on both proactive (B = 2.44, p &lt; .001) and reactive (B = 2.36, p &lt; .001) aggression.Conclusions:This study is the first to consider the relations of CP, DPCF processes, and subtypes of aggression among youth living in environments with high rates of community violence. Among youth with CP, high levels of inhibitory control may be associated with lower rates of reactive aggression in the context of peer relations. As such, problem-solving interventions targeting processes related to DPCF, such as inhibitory control, may be useful among youth living in neighborhoods high in community violence who exhibit CP. Strengthening these cognitive processes may result in better behavioral outcomes and peer relations.

아동·청소년의 공격성에 대한 부모 양육태도 메타분석

Objectives This study aimed to explore the relationship between parenting attitudes and aggression in children and adolescents using a meta-analysis. To this end, parenting attitudes were classified into positive and negative groups, and their effect sizes were compared. In addition, differences in the relationship between parenting attitudes and aggression in children and adolescents according to subtype of aggression and age were verified.&#x0D; Methods Effect sizes of 106 were calculated from 43 studies conducted from 2000 to 2022. There are 6 categories of positive parenting attitudes,11 categories of negative parenting attitudes, 6 categories of aggression, and 3 categories of age. To calculate the effect size, the correlation coefficient r was converted to Fisher's Z. Using R, average effect size, heterogeneity and moderating effect verification, and publication bias were calculated.&#x0D; Results First, the effect size of the positive parenting attitude had a negative (-) value, and the effect size of the negative parenting attitude had a positive (+) value. Overall, sub-factors of negative parenting attitudes were more strongly related to aggression than those of positive parenting attitudes. Second, among parenting attitudes, affection (-) and responsiveness (-) had strong negative correlations with aggression, and psychological control (+) and coercion (+) had strong positive correlations. Third, among the types of aggression, overt aggression showed a strong correlation with both positive and negative parenting attitudes. Fourth, as for age, positive parenting attitudes showed strong effect sizes in elementary lower graders (-), while negative parenting attitudes showed strong effect sizes in elementary higher grades (+).&#x0D; Conclusions Based on the aforementioned findings, the relationship between the parenting attitude and aggression was specifically confirmed, and the moderating effect of age could be verified. These findings are anticipated to be helpful information for parents considering strategies to prevent or lessen aggression in their children.

Association of greenness surrounding school with aggression among adolescents: A multi-site study in China

Association of greenness surrounding school with aggression among adolescents was not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the associations of greenness surrounding school with adolescents' total and sub-types of aggression and explore potential mediators underlying these associations. A multi-site study of 15,301 adolescents aged 11–20 years were recruited through a multistage, random cluster sampling across 5 representative provinces in mainland China. Satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values within circular buffers of 100 m, 500 m, and 1000 m surrounding school were used to indicate the adolescents' greenness exposure. We used the Chinese version of Buss and Warren's Aggression Questionnaire to assess total and sub-types of aggression. Daily concentrations of PM2.5, and NO2 were obtained from the China High Air Pollutants datasets. Per IQR increment of NDVI 100 m and 500 m surrounding school was associated with lower odds of total aggression; odds ratio [OR] with 95% CI was 0.958 (0.926–0.990) for the 100 m buffer and 0.963 (0.932–0.996) for the 500 m buffer, respectively. Similar associations can be observed in two sub-types of aggression, including verbal (NDVI 100 m: 0.960 (0.925–0.995); NDVI500m: 0.964 (0.930–0.999)) and indirect aggression (NDVI 100 m: 0.956 (0.924–0.990); NDVI500m: 0.953 (0.921–0.986)). There were no sex and age differences in the associations of school surrounding greenness with aggression, except that the beneficial associations of greenness exposure with total aggression (0.933(0.895–0.975) vs.1.005(0.956–1.056)), physical aggression (0.971(0.925–1.019) vs.1.098(1.043–1.156)), and hostility (0.942(0.901–0.986) vs.1.016(0.965–1.069)) were greater among participants aged ≥16 years than those aged<16 years. PM2.5 (proportion mediated estimates: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.94) and NO2 (−0.78, 95% CI: −3.22, −0.37) mediated the association of NDVI 500 m surrounding school with total aggression. Our data indicated that exposure to greenness in school surroundings was associated with reduced aggression, particularly in verbal and indirect aggression. The presence of PM2.5 and NO2 partially mediated these associations.

Examining correlates of aggression and mediating effect of psychological distress between exposure to media violence and aggression in lebanese adults

BackgroundViolent media is the most consumed type of media in Lebanon. Many studies have linked exposure to media violence to increased aggression and psychological distress. As Lebanon is going through socio-political turmoil, we aimed to [1] explore the correlates of aggression (i.e., sociodemographic factors, BMI, loneliness, social competence, and psychological distress) in a sample of Lebanese adults from the general population, and [2] to examine the mediating effect of psychological distress in the association between exposure to media violence and aggression in this sample.MethodologyAdults were recruited through online convenience sampling. We employed scales to assess content-based media exposure (C-ME), aggression (BPAQ-SF), psychological distress (DASS-8), loneliness (JGLS), and perceived social competence (PSCS).ResultsExposure to media violence was associated with all four aggression subtypes (verbal, physical, hostility, and anger). Psychological distress partially mediated all these associations; higher exposure to media violence was significantly associated with more psychological distress, which was significantly associated with higher levels of all types of aggression. Moreover, higher exposure to media violence was significantly associated with higher levels of all types of aggression.ConclusionIn the sociopolitical context of Lebanon, violent media could be considered a public hazard. Psychological distress likely potentiates the association between exposure to violent media and aggression. Future research should focus on determining what components of psychological distress underpin this mediation.

STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DARK TRIAD AND AGGRESSION IN WOMEN, SENTENCED FOR VIOLENT CRIMES IN BULGARIAN PRISON

This article is devoted to a little-studied topic in criminal psychology - women who commit serious crimes. This study analyzes the relationship between the complex of personality traits “The Dark Triad” and Aggression and in correlation with the aggression sub-types such as physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. The study was conducted on delinquent women that were sentenced to prison for violent crimes, including murder. The participants were 30 female prisoners from Bulgarian women's prison, aged between 22 and 69 years, (M = 47,36, SD = 11.71). The instruments that were used in the research are the Bulgarian adaptation of the Dark Triad Questionnaire and the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Correlation analysis shows that there are significant relationships between scores on the scales of the Dark Triad questionnaire and general aggression. Dark Triad traits are significant predictors of all types of aggression, especially between psychopathic traits and physical aggression. Based on the findings of the study, it can be designed psycho-educational programs to prevent criminal behavior, and psycho-re-educational programs to improve the behavior of delinquent women.

Serotonin transporter availability in physically aggressive personality disordered patients: associations with trait and state aggression, and response to fluoxetine.

Characterizing the neuroanatomical basis of serotonergic abnormalities in severe, chronic, impulsive aggression will allow for rational treatment selection, development of novel therapeutics, and biomarkers to identify at-risk individuals. The aim of this study is to identify associations between regional serotonin transporter (5-HTT) availability and trait and state aggression, as well as response to the anti-aggressive effects of fluoxetine. We examined 5-HTT availability using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [11C]DASB in personality disordered patients with current physical intermittent explosive disorder (IED; n = 18), and healthy comparison participants (HC; n = 11), in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala (AMY), ventral striatum (VST), and midbrain (MID). After PET imaging, IED patients were treated with fluoxetine 20mg daily (n = 9) or placebo (n = 6) for 12weeks. Trait and state aggression, trait callousness, and childhood trauma were assessed. In IED patients, trait aggression was positively associated with [11C]DASB binding in the ACC and VST; covarying for trait callousness and childhood trauma enhanced these correlations. Baseline state aggression was positively correlated with ACC [11C]DASB in IED patients. Greater baseline VST [11C]DASB binding predicted greater decreases in state aggression with fluoxetine treatment. Consistent with prior reports, ACC 5-HTT is related to trait aggression, and adjusting for factors related to proactive (callousness) and reactive (childhood trauma) aggression subtypes further resolves this relationship. Novel findings of the study include a better understanding of the association between regional 5-HTT availability and state aggression, and the involvement of VST 5-HTT with trait aggression, and with the anti-aggressive effects of fluoxetine.

Different whole-brain functional connectivity correlates of reactive-proactive aggression and callous-unemotional traits in children and adolescents with disruptive behaviors

BackgroundDisruptive behavior in children and adolescents can manifest as reactive aggression and proactive aggression and is modulated by callous-unemotional traits and other comorbidities. Neural correlates of these aggression dimensions or subtypes and comorbid symptoms remain largely unknown. This multi-center study investigated the relationship between resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) and aggression subtypes considering comorbidities. MethodsThe large sample of children and adolescents aged 8–18 years (n = 207; mean age = 13.30±2.60 years, 150 males) included 118 cases with disruptive behavior (80 with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and/or Conduct Disorder) and 89 controls. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety symptom scores were analyzed as covariates when assessing group differences and dimensional aggression effects on hypothesis-free global and local voxel-to-voxel whole-brain rsFC based on functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla. ResultsCompared to controls, the cases demonstrated altered rsFC in frontal areas, when anxiety but not ADHD symptoms were controlled for. For cases, reactive and proactive aggression scores were related to global and local rsFC in the central gyrus and precuneus, regions linked to aggression-related impairments. Callous-unemotional trait severity was correlated with ICC in the inferior and middle temporal regions implicated in empathy, emotion, and reward processing. Most observed aggression subtype-specific patterns could only be identified when ADHD and anxiety were controlled for. ConclusionsThis study clarifies that hypothesis-free brain connectivity measures can disentangle distinct though overlapping dimensions of aggression in youths. Moreover, our results highlight the importance of considering comorbid symptoms to detect aggression-related rsFC alterations in youths.

Sex differences in the relationship between aggression and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with refractory focal epilepsy

PurposeTo determine whether sex affects the relationship between aggression and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with refractory focal epilepsy. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 85 adults with refractory focal seizures, which are defined as one or more seizures recurring per month even when the patient is treated with two or more antiseizure medications. We used the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate aggression and symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. We performed multivariate linear regression and analysis of covariance with interaction terms. HADS-depression and HADS-anxiety scores were separately evaluated to avoid multicollinearity between both of them. ResultsThe HADS-depression and HADS-anxiety scores, male sex, an antiseizure medication load of ≥3, and the use of pregabalin were independently correlated with at least one of the AQ total and subscale scores. These models for depressive and anxiety symptoms explained 34.2% and 32.5%, respectively, of the variance of the AQ total score. Although the AQ total scores did not differ between the sexes, sex significantly affected the relationships between aggression and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Specifically, HADS-depression and HADS-anxiety scores were positively associated with the AQ total scores, especially scores of verbal aggression and anger subtypes, in men but not in women. ConclusionsThese findings support the importance of including anger management and other strategies targeted toward aggression in the development of psychological interventions to reduce anxiety and depression in adults with refractory focal epilepsy. Tailoring those interventions to the needs of males and females will be important to consider..

Association between childhood physical abuse and suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents: The mediation of aggression

BackgroundAlthough previous studies have examined many predictors of suicidal behaviors. However, little is known for childhood physical abuse (CPA) and aggression, which are prevalent among adolescents. This study aimed to explore association between CPA and suicidal behaviors, and the potential mediating role of aggression. MethodA total of 16,111 students graded 7 to 12 were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling across five representative provinces in China. Conflict Tactics Scale-Parents to Child (CTS-PC) and Buss and Warren's Aggression Questionnaire (BWAQ) were used to measure CPA and aggression, respectively. ResultsDuring the last year, 16.0 % of adolescents reported suicidal behaviors. Specifically, 7.9 % were suicide ideators, 4.6 % were planners, and 3.5 % were attempters. The prevalence of CPA in mild, moderate, and severe was 15.7 %, 26.9 %, and 4.4 %, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that moderate and severe CPA and overall aggression were associated with suicide ideators, planners, and attempters. In five sub-types of aggression, only hostility was significantly associated with all three suicidal behaviors. Structural equation modelling showed that aggression partially mediate the relationship between CPA and suicidal behaviors. The mediation proportion of overall aggression, physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, hostility, and indirect aggression were 27.2 %, 22.4 %, 5.2 %, 14.2 %, 23.5 %, and 12.1 %, respectively. LimitationsCross-sectional design, self-reported questionnaire, and no other forms of childhood maltreatment. ConclusionsCPA is a critical risk factor of suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents and aggression is a mediator between CPA and suicidal behaviors. Targeted suicide prevention should focus on those adolescents who report CPA and aggression, especially for hostility.

Sex differences in association between Internet addiction and aggression among adolescents aged 12 to 18 in mainland of China

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported that Internet addiction (IA) is an important predictor of aggression. However, little is known whether aggression is a risk factor of IA. This study aims to explore whether IA can predict total and sub-types of aggression, whether aggression also can predict IA, and the potential sex difference. MethodA total of 15,977 adolescents aged 12 to 18 were recruited though a stratified cluster sampling across five representative provinces in mainland of China. Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Buss and Warren's Aggression Questionnaire (BWAQ) were used to measure IA and aggression, respectively. ResultsThe prevalence of IA and total aggression was 16.8 % and 25.0 %, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that IAT score was significantly associated with total and five sub-types of aggression (P < 0.001). However, scores of physical aggression, hostility, and indirect aggression were positively associated with IA (P < 0.001), while verbal aggression and anger were not significant (P > 0.05). Moreover, the interaction of sex and IA was significant for aggression. Specifically, females with IA had higher risks of anger and indirect aggression but had lower risks of physical and verbal aggression compared to males with IA. LimitationsCross-sectional design, self-reported information, and only Chinese rural adolescents. ConclusionsIA is a strong risk factor of total and five sub-types of aggression, while not all sub-types of aggression are predictors of IA. Prevention programs for adolescents' IA and aggression should consider different aggression sub-types and sex.

Against Aggression? Revisiting an Overlooked Contender for Moral Bioenhancement

In moral bioenhancement (MBE) discourse, aggression has been identified as one potential target of biomedical intervention. Early suggestions that aggression might be modulated to improve moral outcomes were met with strong opposition from those claiming it is impossible to modulate aggression without harming traits of distinct social and agential value. If we are to preclude (or endorse) particular paths to moral enhancement then we ought to establish sound reasons for doing so. However, in paying due consideration to contemporary aggression studies we will see that current efforts to rule out aggression as one such path are untenable. I argue that the rejection of aggression-reduction as a viable target of MBE is a mistake, and that this arises from a rudimentary view of aggression which is incompatible with current scientific consensus. Drawing on contemporary psychological views I argue that it is necessary to distinguish subtypes of aggression, and that once these distinctions are recognised there is a potential space for MBE to target the biological correlates of specific kinds of aggressive behaviour. Ultimately, I suggest that aggression remains a legitimate target of inquiry, and that mitigating deleterious manifestations may yet offer one prospect for MBE.