Traits Of Pre-teen Aggressive Boys

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Author: Kathryn Seifert, Ph.d.

If we understand the traits of preteen violent males, we can find ways to assist these youth to be less destructive. This was the object for a contemporary study. The characteristics of 231 boys ages 2 to 12 were evaluated. The CARE2 (Seifert, 2007) was used to assess the problems, treatment requirements and strengths of this grouping. Youth with assaultive behaviors were contrasted to youth with no assaultive behaviors. Defining their characteristics will help bring up to date the direction in which risk management should proceed.

Of the total 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 the Mid- Atlantic region of the US living in rural and suburban areas. Eighty-four percent were living at home with their parents and 16% were in the guardianship of an agency. Forty-four percent had a history of attacking others and 56% did not have such a record. However, 80% had a history of moderate to severe behavior problems and 20% had histories of no or only mild acting out behaviors.

There were parallels among the families of the assaultive boys that were not paralleled in the majority of the families of non-assaultive boys. Significantly more (69%) of the families of assaultive boys had histories of domestic violence, than the families of non-assaultive boys (56%). In the same way, a greater percentage of the families of assaultive boys (65%) had low affection and excessive 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 (no too lax or too harsh and consistent), than the families of the non-assaultive boys (1/2). So, we can conclude that more of the families of assaultive boys were violent, conflicted, and low in affection and warmth. They also used less effective disciplinary practices than the families of non-assaultive young boys. It would seem logical, then that reducing violence and conflict in these homes, increasing affection and warmth and improving disciplinary practices would reduce the violence of the offspring in these families.

Looking further into the traits of these two groups of boys, we found that a greater percentage of the group of assaultive pre-adolescent males had skill insufficiencies when compared to non-aggressive group of boys. More of the assaultive boys lacked problem solving, social, and anger management skills. Many also lacked the capability to have remorse for their offenses. So, again, examining these traits, we can conclude that reducing violence among at risk youth will involve increasing their skill levels in a variety of areas.

The behaviors of the two groups of boys were evaluated, as well. There were no differences in the percentage of each group that was known to have substance abuse problems, run away from home, wound animals, or be truant. These behaviors happened at very low rates in both groups. There were, however, significant disparities between groups in the percentage of boys that engaged in fire setting, law-breaking, bullying, and school behavior problems. Significantly more of the assaultive boys took part in these behaviors than non-assaultive boys. In terms of resiliency factors, fewer (approximately ) of the assaultive boys than the non-assaultive boys (1/2) were engaged in some type of positive activity. There were no other differences between groups on any resiliency items. So it appears that reducing behavior problems and increasing pro-social activities may also hold some answers in reducing violence among young boys.

There were no significant differences between groups on the rates of psychiatric or neurological problems or IQ, However, A greater percentage (61%) 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. Attachment problems are a result of pathological parenting in the first 4 years of life. Therefore, homes with abuse, neglect, and violence are a breeding ground for children to become violent and must be addressed, to reduce the source of youth violence. Youth that come from such homes must also have therapy that includes trauma work to reduce the effects of early trauma.

So while we understand that there are some differences in the percentage of the 2 groups that have an identified problem, these differences do not entirely separate the groups. It was determined by this study that the larger the amount of problems and the smaller quantity the resiliency factors, the higher a youth's risk for violent behaviors would be. Therefore threatment must address all the factors that contribute to youth violence.

Conclusions

The assaultive boys were more than twice as prone to have attachment problems as the non-assaultive boys. Additionally, they were twice as likely to lack remorse for their assaultive acts. More than half of the assaultive boys had anger management, problem solving and social skill deficiencies. Significantly more of the assaultive group of boys had antisocial and bullying behaviors, fire setting and school behavior problems. A greater percentage of assaultive boys came from families with previous histories of violence, great conflict and low warmth, and inappropriate disciplinary practices.

Studies have revealed that excessive conflict, low affection, violence, and inappropriate discipline in the family unit can lead to attachment problems among children. We also know that attachment problems can be linked to problem solving, anger management and social skill deficits. These delays in skill development can be the forerunner to criminal behavior and school behavior problems. The more of these problems that a youth and his family unit have, the more probable a youth will persist in having severe 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 care that addresses all the needs of the youth and his/her family. It also points out that the domestic violence of parents is significantly linked to the violence of the youth in their care. We must advocate for assessment and services for the children who are in homes where there is domestic violence. It also shows the needs for families to be integrated in the interventions for youth who are at risk for violent behaviors.About the Author:

Kathryn Seifert has worked for over 30 years in the areas of mental health and criminal justice. She has lectured internationally, as well. Her award winning book is "How Children Become Violent" and her violence assessment is the CARE2. The CARE 2 Assessment is a valid and reliable instrument designed to assess the risk for violence and to determine the appropriate level and type of services an at risk youth requires.

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