Childhood Aggression and Violence: Contemporary Issues (From Childhood Aggression and Violence: Sources of Influence, Prevention, and Control, P 17-53, 1987, David H Crowell, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-112364)

• NCJ Number: 112366
• Author(s): D H Crowell
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 37 pages
• Sale Source: Plenum Publishing Corp
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews research into developmental, genetic, and gender-related factors in childhood aggression.

Abstract

Overall, research efforts show a shift away from a concern with mere descriptive correlates toward an understanding of the etiology and course of antisocial behavior. A major objective has been to define the predictor of childhood and adolescent aggression against people and property. Research suggests that childhood aggression, defined as a broad-band externalizing syndrome or a more specific narrow-band syndrome, can legitimately be considered a form of developmental psychopathology with a level of stability and continuity that warrants monitoring. The literature indicates that it may be feasible to identify and predict those children at high risk of antisocial behavior in adolescence and adulthood. Etiological studies have defined sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of aggression, and there is some evidence for a biological substrate. Clear gender differences in overt aggressive activity have been found. Historical concern with hyperactivity as a syndrome of developmental psychopathology reflects efforts to better define behaviors in the clinical picture: hyperactivity and aggression in childhood appear to function as narrow-band syndromes. Finally, the relationship between the more severe forms of antisocial behavior and childhood aggression is unclear and requires more study. 122 references.