Poster #232 - Trajectories of different types of aggressive behaviors among at-risk adolescence: examining contextual influences

• In Event: 1-169 - Poster Session 04
  In Poster Session: PS 04 Section - Social Relationships

Integrative Statement

Adolescents and young adults are the most common victims and perpetrators of aggressive acts. While 12 to 20-year-olds made up approximately 13% of the population in 2008, they were responsible for 23.7% of single-offender violence perpetration and 37.5% of multiple-offender violence perpetration. It is therefore critical that we understand what exposures adolescents experience that result in aggressive behaviors.

The objectives of this research were to establish measurement domains for different types of aggressive behaviors among at-risk adolescence, to determine how these change from age 11 to 17, and to evaluate how contexts and characteristics relate to the levels and changes in aggressive behaviors during adolescence.

A sample of 2,737 adolescents age 11 to 17 from a nationally representative, longitudinal study of children in contact with Child protective services (CPS) in the U.S, the National Survey of Adolescent and Child Well-Being (NSCAW) were used. Four waves of assessment were obtained starting in 1999. Latent growth curve models were estimated for physical, verbal, sexual aggression toward others, physical aggression towards property, and suicide proclivity. Child, parent, household, neighborhood, and maltreatment history were evaluated as predictors of the aggression trajectories.

The aggression domains are unique, but related. Physical, verbal, and property aggression were the most highly correlated (r > 0.76). Suicide proclivity was moderately correlated with the other aggression domains. Sexual aggression was the most unique form. Between ages 11 and 17, physical and verbal aggression are increasing linearly with verbal aggression increasing significantly more. Aggression toward property and suicide proclivity move together in a similar manner, starting out low at age 11 then peaking around age 14 and declining somewhat to age 17. Sexual aggression has the lowest propensity and follows a similar curved pathway dropping off around age 15. Child sex, race, and income were related to physical and verbal aggression. Prior maltreatment history was related to property aggression and suicide proclivity.

Different domains of aggressive behaviors have different trajectories during adolescence as well as different correlates. Determining the development and interrelationship among these domains as well as modifiable correlates can help reduce violence in adolescence.

Authors

• Aura Ankita Mishra, Purdue University
  Presenting Author

• Sharon L. Christ, Purdue University
  Non-Presenting Author