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Causes of Aggression in Children


Causes of Aggression in Children


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Aggression is defined as any behavior intended to physically or verbally harm another person (through name-calling). Children often exhibit aggression, which is a normal aspect of growth. It is a method for them to express their rage or disapproval toward a person or situation.

A youngster or teenage children may become aggressive for a variety of underlying reasons, including unpleasant life events, teenage love mental health problems, or other medical illnesses. Children can be helped to reduce violent actions by determining what makes them angry and teaching them how to control their emotions.

Aggression has several causes and cannot be attributed to one single reason. The following are some things that could make kids more aggressive.


1. Parental Factors

These occurrences and elements typically have an impact on the fetus, raising the likelihood that the child may exhibit violent behavior.

According to certain research, maternal prenatal drinking and smoking can lead to a baby's subsequent development of aggressive and hyperactive behavior. Additionally, the kid can have frequent tantrums. These frequently happen because of how alcohol and cigarettes affect the developing fetus's brain.

Violence and aggressive behavior directed against pregnant women may alter their neurotransmitters, raising the possibility of adverse effects on the fetus's brain development. Later in life, the modifications could result in temperament problems for the youngster, which would make them act more aggressively than usual.


2. Familial Factors



The parenting style of the child's parents in particular, as well as the behavior they model for them, may have a big impact on how they behave. The following are typical familial influences on children's violence.

Unhealthy family dynamics: Children who constantly experience fights, violence, and hostility among family members may act violently themselves.


Parental traits: Children may not learn self-regulation from parents that exhibit mental diseases, aggressive personalities, impulsive natures, or antisocial or criminal behavior. Alcohol and drug abusers may be emotionally unavailable and neglectful toward their children. These parental characteristics may have a detrimental effect on the child's emotional growth, leading them to regularly engage in aggressive behavior.


The way some kids act toward other kids may be a reaction to how their parents and other family members treat them. Children who experience frequent humiliation, control, or embarrassment at home may become aggressive as a form of defiance.


3. Social Factors



A child's social ties and the society or community they reside in influence their social variables.


Living in a violent neighborhood: Children who grow up in environments where violence and aggressiveness are openly displayed may learn aggression via observation.


Having aggressive friends: If a child hangs around with other aggressive kids, they might pick up aggression.


4. Exposure to Violence


Children who are exposed to violence may become aggressive later in life. The following scenarios could result in exposure to violence.


Violence: Children who have experienced emotional trauma, abuse, and violence are more prone to exhibit aggression, particularly hostile and violent aggression.


Witnessing actual violence: Witnessing actual violence, frequently one that kills or involves a loved one, may leave a psychological scar. Conflicts in the mind, annoyance, and aggressive behavior are possible manifestations.


Media violence: Some young people could be readily influenced by violent acts they see on television and in other visual media. The child may try violent behaviors under the influence of the media, which frequently results in expressive aggression.

Playing violent video games also makes a contribution.


5. Pathological Conditions


Some kids may exhibit aggressive behavior as a result of a mental condition or problem. The majority of the time, parents and kids have no control over these pathological disorders. One of the many symptoms of the disease is frequently aggression.

Here are a few typical mental illnesses that might lead to violent conduct.

 

Psychotic disorders: As a result of their feelings, children who experience psychosis and its symptoms may act aggressively. For instance, paranoia might cause children with schizophrenia to act aggressively.


Mood problems: Children who experience mood disorders may act aggressively or impulsively. As an illustration, a youngster with bipolar illness may appear lethargic during the depressive phase and aggressive during the manic phase.


Conduct problems: A number of conduct disorders can cause youngsters to act aggressively. Oppositional defiant disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two famous examples.


Autism: A youngster with autism may have problems expressing their needs and comprehending others. They might occasionally turn to act violently against others and themselves as a result of it.


Treatment of Aggression in Adolescent

When domestic interventions and self-regulation of behavior fail to produce desired effects, treatment for aggression may be required. Medication may be needed to treat aggression brought on by pathological and psychological reasons. It is suggested to seek consultation with the “Best psychiatrist near me” for medication to better control violent behavior. 

The following are some key ideas regarding how to handle violence or anger in children & teens.

The majority of kids with pathological and psychological issues respond well to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Through Online Counselling, kids can learn to think more clearly, better comprehend their behavior, solve problems, and deal with triggers. Numerous therapeutic techniques might be employed, and the therapy would be tailored to the needs of the kid.

When a child suffers a mental illness like bipolar disorder, which tends to last longer in life, medication may be required. The psychoactive medication prescribed would depend on the ailment at hand and the severity of its symptoms. Depending on how the child reacts, the medication may need to be evaluated from time to time. Some kids may be more adept at controlling their symptoms—including aggression—on their own and may never need medication.

Depending on their health, the youngster can need both treatment and medicine. When counseling and medicine are also combined with other measures, such as creating a happy home environment and rewarding good conduct, some kids may exhibit progress.