Appetitive aggression and associated factors among military soldiers retiring from active service in Uganda

Background: Appetitive aggression is a type of aggression that is characterized by a fascination with violence and a desire to inflict pain on the perceived enemy. This type of aggression has mainly been studied among former child soldiers and demobilized combatants. Information on appetitive aggression among retiring active service officers is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of appetitive aggression and the associated factors among soldiers who are retiring from active service in Uganda.Methods: A sample of 247 retiring military soldiers from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), who had assembled at Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja district in eastern Uganda in preparation for the retirement exercise, was randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. We assessed participants for appetitive aggression using the Appetitive Aggression Scale, and also collected information on alcohol and drug use, exposure to traumatic life events, post-traumatic stress disorder, childhood trauma, and depression. We ran logistic regression models to determine the factors associated with appetitive aggression among the study participants.Results: Ninety-seven per cent (n = 239) of the participants were male and the mean age was 46 years. The prevalence of appetitive aggression was 58%. Not being depressed (p = .040) and experience of traumatic events (p = .001) were associated with high odds of appetitive aggression.Conclusion: The prevalence of appetitive aggression among the study participants was high. Having experienced traumatic events was associated with a greater odds of appetitive aggression, while having depression was protective against appetitive aggression. Interventions aimed at preventing appetitive aggression among soldiers should target addressing the trauma experienced during their line of duty.