If we understand the characteristics of preteen aggressive boys, we can find ways to help these youth to be less aggressive. This was the purpose of a recent study. To this end, the characteristics of 231 boys ages 2 to 12 were assessed. The problems, treatment needs and resiliency of this group were evaluated. Youth with assaultive behaviors were compared to youth with no assaultive behaviors. Understanding their characteristics will help inform the direction that treatment needs to take.
Of the entire sample, 11% were under the age of 6, 29% were between the ages of 6 and 8, while 60% were ages 9 to 12. Ninety-eight percent of the sample were from rural and suburban areas of the mid- Atlantic region of the US. Eighty-four percent were living at home with their parents and 16% were in the care of an agency. Forty-four percent had a history of assaulting others and 56% did not have such a history. However, 80% had a history of moderate to severe behavior problems and 20% had histories of no or mild behavior problems.
There were similarities among the families of the assaultive boys that were not shared by the families of non-assaultive boys to the same extent. Significantly more (69%) of the families of assaultive boys had histories of family violence, than the families of non-assaultive boys (56%). Similarly, a greater percentage of the families of assaultive boys (65%) had low warmth and high conflict when compared to the families of non-assaultive boys (39%). Additionally, significantly fewer (1/3) of the families of assaultive boys used appropriate disciplinary practices (not too lax or too harsh and consistent), than the families of non-assaultive boys (1/2).
A greater percentage of the group of assaultive pre-adolescent males had skill deficits when compared to non-aggressive same age group of boys. More of the assaultive boys had deficits in problem solving, social, and anger management skills and the ability to have remorse for their misdeeds.
The behaviors of the two groups of boys were compared, as well. There were no differences in the percentage of each group that was known to abuse substances, running away from home, harming animals, or truancy. These behaviors occurred at very low rates in both groups. There were significant differences between groups in the percentage of boys that engaged in fire setting, delinquency, bullying others, and school behavior problems. Significantly more of the assaultive boys engaged in these behaviors than non-assaultive boys. The only behavior engaged in by more than half of the assaultive group was school behavior problems. In terms of resiliency factors, approximately ¼ of the assaultive boys and ½ of the non-assaultive boys were engaged in some type of positive activity. There were no other differences between groups on any resiliency items.
There were no significant differences between groups on the rates of psychiatric or neurological problems or distribution of IQ, However, A greater percentage (61% or 76) of the assaultive group were identified as having attachment problems than the non-assaultive group (31%). The assaultive boys were more than twice as likely to have attachment problems as the non-assaultive boys.
So while we see that there are some differences in the percentage of the 2 groups that have a particular problem, these differences do not totally separate the groups. It was hypothesized that the greater the number of problems and the fewer the resiliency factors, the higher a youth's risk for violent behaviors would be. This appeared to be the case.
Conclusions
The assaultive boys were more than twice as likely to have attachment problems as the non-assaultive boys. having attachment problems meas that it is likely that the assaultive boys were raised in homes where they were abused, neglected, or exposed to domestic violence. Additionally, young assaultive males were twice as likely to lack remorse for their victims. More than half of the violent boys had anger management, problem solving and social skill deficits. Significantly more of the assaultive group of boys engaged in delinquent and bullying behaviors, fire setting and school behavior problems. A greater percentage of assaultive boys came from families with histories of violence, high conflict and low warmth, and inappropriate disciplinary practices.
Studies have indicated that high conflict, low warmth, violence, and inappropriate discipline in the home can lead to attachment problems among children. it has also been reported that attachment problems can be associated with problem solving, anger management and social skill deficits in children. These skill deficits can lead to delinquency and school behavior problems. The more of these problems that a youth and his family have, the more likely a youth will continue to have serious behavior problems, such as violence.
This information supports the research that youth with violent behaviors and their families have multiple problems and need multi-faceted treatment that addresses the needs of the youth and his/her family. It also points out that the domestic violence of parents is significantly related to the violence of the youth in their care. We must advocate for assessment and services for the children who are in households where there is domestic violence. It also points to the needs for families to be included in the interventions for youth who are at risk for violent behaviors.
Characteristics of Pre-Teen Aggressive Boys
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