Direct aggression is a type of behavior that is characterized by physical or verbal contact intended to cause harm to another person (Baron & Richardson, 1994). It is considered a form of interpersonal violence and is a major public health problem (World Health Organization, 2002). Direct aggression is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including physical injury, mental health issues, substance abuse, and even death (Huesmann, Eron, Klein & Brice-Heath, 1984).
The development of direct aggression begins early in life and follows a trajectory from childhood to adulthood (Dodge & Coie, 1987). Factors associated with the development of direct aggression include child abuse (Kotch, Browne, & Hamilton, 1988), parental violence (Dodge & Coie, 1987), peer rejection (Garcia, Poulin, & Dishion, 2009), and inadequate parenting skills (Baron & Richardson, 1994).
A number of interventions have been developed to reduce direct aggression and its associated outcomes. These interventions typically focus on teaching children effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills (Garcia et al., 2009). Other interventions include teaching parents how to respond effectively to conflict and aggression (Baron & Richardson, 1994), providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (Huesmann et al., 1984), and implementing school-based programs (Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992).
Overall, direct aggression is a serious issue that requires attention from both individuals and society. Early interventions are essential in order to reduce the likelihood of long-term negative outcomes associated with direct aggression.
References
Baron, R. A., & Richardson, D. R. (1994). Human aggression (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Plenum Press.
Dodge, K. A., & Coie, J. D. (1987). Social-information-processing factors in reactive and proactive aggression in children’s peer groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(6), 1146–1158.
Garcia, J., Poulin, F., & Dishion, T. J. (2009). Parental monitoring and children’s peer group affiliation: Opposing influences on aggression during early adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 45(1), 237–248.
Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (1992). Risk and protective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and early adulthood: Implications for substance abuse prevention. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 64–105.
Huesmann, L. R., Eron, L. D., Klein, R., & Brice-Heath, S. (1984). The stability of aggression over time and generations: A cross-cultural comparison of American, Japanese, and Israeli children. Developmental Psychology, 20(2), 1120–1134.
Kotch, J. B., Browne, D. C., & Hamilton, S. (1988). Child abuse and neglect: Implications for the development of aggression. Development and Psychopathology, 1, 21–35.
World Health Organization. (2002). World report on violence and health. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.