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An Exploratory Study of Aggression in School-Age Children: Underlying Factors and Implications for Treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2013

Lynn E. Priddis ,
Sarah Landy ,
Darren Moroney  and
Robert Kane
Lynn E. Priddis*
Affiliation:
Curtin University of Technology, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sarah Landy
Affiliation:
Family Pathways, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth, Western Australia
Darren Moroney
Affiliation:
Curtin University of Technology, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Robert Kane
Affiliation:
Curtin University of Technology, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Perth, Western Australia, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Dr L.E. Priddis, Department of Psychology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia. Email: l.priddis@curtin.edu.au
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Abstract

Aggressive behaviour in school-aged children presents a significant challenge for society. If not managed, it can result in adverse academic, social, emotional, and behavioural outcomes for the child. In addition, it can create stress for families and become a significant burden for the community as these children reach adolescence and adulthood, and engage in antisocial behaviours. Using a three-step exploratory analytical strategy, this study explored parent and child reports of a diverse range of underlying developmental and clinical variables that have been identified in the literature as predictors of aggressive child behaviour, and which could be addressed within an Australian school or community context. A total of 57 children and their parents were recruited from a referral-based Western Australian child mental health service, and the wider community. A group of 31 clinically aggressive children were identified and compared to a group of 26 non-aggressive children. The aggressive group was reported as having a greater prevalence of internalising symptoms, including anxiety and depression, and their aggressive behaviour was more likely to be of the callous/unemotional type, relative to their non-aggressive counterparts. Significant predictors of belonging to the aggressive group included child social problems, thought problems, attention problems, affective problems, narcissism, symptoms of ADHD and PTS, and low maternal self-esteem. Findings are presented and discussed in the context of established theories. Recommendations for principles of treatment for aggressive children and their families are suggested.

Keywords

childrenaggressiontreatment childhood aggressionempathyparent–child relationshipparental sensitivityparental self-esteem
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , June 2014 , pp. 18 - 35
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australian Academic Press Pty Ltd 2013 

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