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Sensitive Periods for Developing a Robust Trait of Appetitive Aggression.

Anke Köbach¹, Thomas Elbert¹

¹Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz , Konstanz , Germany ; vivo international , Konstanz , Germany.

Frontiers in Psychiatry

|November 4, 2015

Summary

Childhood recruitment into civil wars can foster appetitive aggression. Recruitment at ages 16-17 predicts higher aggression levels in ex-combatants, especially those with more violent acts.

Keywords:

adolescent aggression appetitive aggression combatants demobilization offender pubertal development sensitive periods

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Conflict Studies

Background:

Violent behavior, particularly appetitive aggression, is intrinsically rewarding and prevalent in civil war combatants.
Many combatants are recruited as children or adolescents, suggesting a critical developmental window for aggression.
Understanding the developmental origins of aggression in combatants is crucial for effective demobilization and reintegration.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify a sensitive developmental period for the formation of appetitive aggression traits in combatants.
To investigate the relationship between recruitment age and the level of appetitive aggression in demobilized fighters.
To determine predictors of appetitive aggression among ex-combatants.

Main Methods:

Study involved 95 combatants undergoing demobilization in the Kivu regions, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Data collected on recruitment age and lifetime perpetration of violent acts.
Statistical analysis using random forest with conditional inference trees to identify predictive factors.

Main Results:

Recruitment at ages 16 and 17 years was identified as a significant predictor of appetitive aggression levels.
The number of lifetime perpetrated violent acts emerged as the most crucial predictor.
Ex-combatants recruited during middle to late adolescence exhibited higher appetitive aggression.

Conclusions:

A developmental period during middle to late teenage years (16-17) is sensitive for developing robust appetitive aggression in combatants.
This developmental stage is characterized by a natural inclination towards physical force, potentially exacerbating aggression.
Ex-combatants remain vulnerable to aggressive behavior and re-recruitment without targeted interventions providing alternative coping strategies for aggression.