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Normative Trends in Physically Aggressive Behavior: Age-Aggression Curves from 6 to 24 Months
Michael F Lorber1, Tamara Del Vecchio2, Amy M S Slep1
1Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, New York University, New York, NY.
Insights
Physically aggressive behaviors are common in children under two years old. While most forms increase with age, some, like hair pulling, decrease, offering insights for pediatric guidance.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Physically aggressive behaviors are observed in young children.
- Understanding age-related trends is crucial for early intervention and parental guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related trends in physically aggressive behaviors in children aged 6 to 24 months.
- To identify specific behaviors that increase or decrease with age in this developmental period.
Main Methods:
- A normative US sample of 477 mothers reported on the frequency of 9 physically aggressive child behaviors.
- Data were analyzed using 2-part regression models to assess age-related trends.
Main Results:
- Nearly all children (94%) exhibited physical aggression in the past month.
- Kicking, pushing, and swiping prevalences increased with age.
- Hair pulling prevalence decreased with age, while hitting and throwing showed a more complex pattern, increasing then decreasing.
Conclusions:
- Physically aggressive behavior is nearly ubiquitous in 6- to 24-month-olds.
- Most forms of physical aggression increase with age during this period.
- Findings can inform pediatricians in counseling parents about child behavior.
Objective:
To investigate age-related trends in physically aggressive behaviors in children before age 2 years.
Study Design:
A normative US sample of 477 mothers of 6- to 24-month-old children reported on the frequency of 9 interpersonally directed aggressive child behaviors, and hurting animals, in the past month.
Results:
Almost all (94%) of the children were reported to have engaged in physically aggressive behavior in the past month. Based on 2-part regression models, the prevalences of kicking (OR, 1.70; P = .023), pushing (OR, 3.22; P < .001), and swiping (OR, 1.78; P = .018) increased with years of age, but the prevalence of hair pulling decreased with age (OR, 0.55; P = .020). The prevalences of hitting and throwing increased initially, then plateaued at age 18-20 months, and then decreased (quadratic aOR, 0.13 and 0.16; P < .001 and .010, respectively). The frequencies of hitting (R2 = .05; P < .001) and throwing (R2 = .03; P = .030) increased, and the frequencies of hair pulling (R2 = .07; P < .001) and scratching (R2 = .02; P = .042) decreased with age (P values adjusted for false discovery rate).
Conclusions:
Physically aggressive behavior in the 6- to 24-month age range appears to be nearly ubiquitous. Most, but not all, forms of physical aggression increase with age. These results can guide pediatricians as they educate and counsel parents about their child's behavior in the first 2 years of life.
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