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Violent Offending Promotes Appetitive Aggression Rather than Posttraumatic Stress-A Replication Study with Burundian
Anke Köbach1, Corina Nandi2, Anselm Crombach3
1Clinical and Neuropsychology Group, Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz Konstanz, Germany ; Vivo International Konstanz, Germany.
Frontiers in Psychology
|December 24, 2015
Summary
Demobilized soldiers
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Appetitive aggression, the appeal of violent acts, is common in violent environments.
- Previous research in the DRC linked violent offending to appetitive aggression, not PTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate and extend findings on appetitive aggression and PTSD in Burundian demobilized soldiers.
- To identify predictors of appetitive aggression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in ex-combatants.
Main Methods:
- Random forest regression analysis was used.
- A larger, independent sample of demobilized soldiers from Burundi was studied.
Main Results:
- Lifetime perpetrated violent acts were the strongest predictor of appetitive aggression.
- Lifetime experienced traumatic events were the main predictor of PTSD.
- Violent acts involving hunting cues most strongly predicted appetitive aggression post-demobilization.
- Associations between violence/appetitive aggression and trauma/PTSD remained strong years after demobilization.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest appetitive aggression and PTSD are robustly predicted by distinct factors (perpetrated violence vs. experienced trauma) in ex-combatants.
- Psychotherapeutic interventions addressing both PTSD and appetitive aggression are crucial for successful reintegration and peace transition.
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