Anger and aggression among Filipino students.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Adolescent aggression and anger are significant concerns in educational settings.
• Understanding these behaviors in diverse student populations is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and correlates of anger and aggression among secondary school students in the southern Philippines.
• To compare aggression and anger levels between public and private school students.
• To examine gender and age differences in reported and observed aggression.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey involving 650 secondary school students from public and private schools in the southern Philippines.
• Self-report questionnaires measuring anger and aggression levels.
• Teacher ratings of student aggression.

Main Results:

• Overall self-reported anger and aggression levels were found to be average.
• Students in private schools reported significantly higher levels of anger and aggression compared to those in public schools.
• Teacher ratings indicated higher aggression in male students compared to females.
• Older students self-reported higher anger and aggression, though teachers rated them as less aggressive.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need for tailored anger and aggression management programs in Philippine secondary schools, considering school type and gender.
• Discrepancies between self-reports and teacher ratings suggest complex factors influencing the expression and perception of aggression in adolescents.
• Further research is recommended to explore the underlying reasons for these differences and to develop targeted interventions.