Aggression .
Aggression is an action or threat of action that is intended to harm another person, either physically or psychologically. Aggression in young people is an important social issue. Children and youth who behave aggressively may harm not only themselves, but also their families, their communities and society at large.
Research shows us children with serious aggression problems are more likely to develop other mental health or problematic substance use issues—and as adults they are more likely to engage in acts of violence.
The earlier a young person with an aggression problem is identified and receives help, the greater the chance that the chosen treatment will have lasting benefits.
Types of aggression
• poking, pinching, pushing, shoving, spitting, tripping, hitting, kicking, throwing things and beatings
• insults and taunts
• hidden activities that are more difficult to detect, such as lying, cheating, stealing and setting fires
• aggressive response to frustration, teasing or threats
• spreading gossip or rumours, manipulating friendships or excluding one person from a group
• sexual acts of any kind performed without the voluntary agreement of the other person
• bullying, which is repeated aggressive behaviour of any kind
Preventing aggression
• Set out clear expectations; let young people know how you expect them to behave.
• Build a rapport and be understanding.
• Talk to young people, listen to them and show concern when appropriate.
• Develop cultural sensitivity; people from different cultural, social or spiritual backgrounds may define aggression differently.
• Be encouraging.
• Offer praise for positive behaviours.
• Avoid power struggles.
• Manage problems as they arise.
• Address small problems before they turn into bigger ones.
• Become aware of triggers.
• Identify the situations or stresses that cause a young person to act out or behave aggressively and work toward eliminating them or minimizing their impact.
• Develop strategies to help young people manage their emotions.
• Help children and young people develop the skills necessary to manage emotions that can lead to aggressive outbursts.
• Use positive reinforcement; praise and reward positive social behaviours.
Signs & Symptoms
If you are trying to determine whether or not a young person has a serious problem with aggression, ask yourself the following questions:
• Does the behaviour occur regularly (that is, every day, every week or every month)?
• Has the young person been behaving aggressively for a long time?
• Are you concerned about the young person’s behaviour for any other reasons besides aggression?
• Does the behaviour persist or appear to be getting worse?
• Does the young person explode at situations that don’t bother other young people—or for no obvious reason?
• Is it difficult to calm the young person down after an outburst?
• Has the young person injured himself or herself or anyone else?
• Does the young person’s behaviour lead to conflicts with parents, siblings, peers or teachers?
• Do all the young person’s friends behave aggressively or anti-socially?
Causes & Risk Factors
• difficult temperament
• poor emotional control
• poor social skills
• lower-than-average IQ
• substance use
• certain mental health problems, such as conduct disorder
• optimism
• empathy
• high self-esteem
• strong cultural identity
• higher-than-average IQ
• discipline that is too harsh, too lenient or inconsistent
• lack of appropriate supervision
• having parents who reject them, are cold and unsupportive, use aggression to solve their own problems, or don’t communicate or work through problem
• family instability
• neglect or abuse
• having parents with substance use problems
• having parents who experience depression
• firm, fair and consistent discipline
• appropriate level of parental supervision
• comforting by caregivers
• secure attachment to a caregiver
• family stability
• positive parental involvement
• living in economically or socially disadvantaged conditions
• living in an unsafe neighbourhood
• attending a poorly run or unsafe school
• having friends who behave aggressively
• watching a lot of television
• living in a socially advantaged neighbourhood
• participation in extracurricular activities
• being successful at school
• solid relationship with at least one caring adult
• feeling a sense of attachment to their community
Diagnosis & Treatment
Control your body language and tone of voice. Make sure your body language and tone of voice do not contradict your verbal message.
Stay calm. Focus on letting the person know that you care about him or her, are concerned about what is happening and are there to help. Don’t try to solve the problem or conflict that led to the aggressive behaviour while a young person is acting aggressively toward you.
Offer a way out. Offer a young person a way out of the situation. Give clear choices, with safe limitations. In this way, you allow the young person to retain a feeling of control along with his or her self-esteem.
Discourage bystanders. When a young person is acting out, ask peers who may be watching to leave the setting and continue with their activities.
Don’t make threats. Don’t give warnings about consequences that you are not prepared to follow through on or that are unreasonably severe.
Don’t make generalizations. Saying, “You always do this when . . .” reinforces negative behaviours.
Wait for the right moment. Wait until after an incident involving aggression is over, when everyone has calmed down, to talk to a young person about inappropriate behaviours.
Maintain safety. Make sure everyone present during an incident involving aggression is safe at all times. If you can’t control the situation, call for help.
Deal appropriately with threats. In most cases, children or young people who make threats don’t carry them out. Your main goal will be to get a young person making threats to focus on the way he or she is feeling, and to keep them away from any target of aggression. Keep in mind that young people who have behaved aggressively, damaged property, set fires, harmed animals or shown other conduct problems in the past are more likely to carry out a threat.
Note: Get help as quickly as possible if a young person threatens to damage or destroy property; or hurt or kill himself or herself or someone else.
Dr Anshul Mahajan
Consultant psychiatrist