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Emotional competence and aggressive behavior in school-age children
Amy M Bohnert1, Keith A Crnic, Karen G Lim
1Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA. bohne001@mc.duke.edu
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|February 25, 2003
Summary
Children with higher aggressive behavior show less emotional competence, particularly in identifying emotion causes. Anger expression was more frequent and intense in these children, with gender differences noted.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Emotional Regulation
Background:
- Aggressive behavior in children is a significant concern.
- Understanding the link between emotional competence and aggression is crucial for intervention.
- Previous research suggests emotional deficits may underlie aggressive tendencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if individual differences in emotional competence characterize children with higher levels of aggressive behavior.
- To explore specific aspects of emotional competence, such as emotion expression and identification, in relation to aggression.
- To examine potential gender moderation in the relationship between aggressive behavior and emotional competence.
Main Methods:
- Emotional competence was assessed in 87 children (aged 7-10 years) using a multi-method approach.
- Methods included an observational disappointment paradigm, cognitive/language assessments, and structured emotion interviews.
- Mothers' reports and direct observations were used to measure aggressive behavior and emotional responses.
Main Results:
- Children with higher aggressive behavior displayed more intense and frequent anger expressions, both observed and reported.
- These children also showed less sophisticated abilities in identifying the causes of emotions.
- Gender played a moderating role: happiness in boys was linked to lower aggression.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in emotional competence are associated with higher levels of aggressive behavior in children.
- Assessing emotional competence in emotionally charged situations provides valuable insights.
- Targeting emotional identification skills may be beneficial for reducing aggression in children.
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