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\"Aggressive behavior during childhood and adolescence is an important risk factor for later serious and persistent adjustment problems in adulthood, including criminal behavior, school dropout as well as family-related and economic problems. Researchers have thus deployed considerable efforts to uncover what drives individuals to attack and hurt others. Each chapter explores the issue of aggression with an introduction, theoretical considerations, measures and methods, research findings, implications, and future directions\"-- Provided by publisher.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the materials and methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of biofeedback in the treatment of aggressive episodes in children and adolescents. Aggressive episodes are common in various disorders and are associated with deficits in emotional processing and impulse control, primarily due to dysfunctions in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC). These brain regions also regulate physiological arousal, influencing heart rate and other autonomic functions even before aggression manifests. These early signals can be shown to the person (biofeedback) reinforcing therapeutic skills to enhance emotional regulation and reduce aggression. A total of 70 participants will be recruited for a randomized controlled trial (RCT). All participants will receive therapy, although only the intervention group will incorporate biofeedback. The experimental study will be split into three blocks: (1) Home Monitoring: Physiological signals will be recorded using a smartwatch, and aggressive episodes will be captured with a camera; (2) Laboratory Assessment: Participants will attend three sessions, where therapists will induce aggressive reactions, using the video clips recorded at home. Simultaneously, real-time physiological signals will be measured. These sessions will also include relaxation periods before and after the provoked outburst; (3) Therapeutic Intervention: Similar to the laboratory assessment block, therapists will induce aggressive responses in three sessions; however, in this block, participants will receive therapy. Additionally, participants who belong to the intervention group, will include biofeedack in the therapy. Biofeedback is focused on heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and skin conductance level (SCL). The CACIA, the Stroop, and other pre- and post-experimental tests. will be used to assess the differences between the control and intervention groups. Emotions play a fundamental role in decision-making, social interactions, and mental health. Emotional dysregulation often leads to aggression, irritability, and anxiety. Showing physiological responses to patients, such as heart rate variability and skin conductance, may improve emotional awareness and regulation. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of including biofeedback in such therapy.

Background Physical exercise is recognized as a cost-effective intervention for mitigating aggressive behavior; however, its impact on aggression in children and adolescents remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical exercise on aggressive behavior in this population and to perform subgroup analyses to examine potential moderating factors. Methods We searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) for studies published up to December 25, 2024, that tested physical activity programs for reducing aggression in children and teenagers. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated as the outcome indicator, which was based on the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the aggression scores before and after the physical exercise intervention. The data were analyzed with RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15 software using a random effects model. Results Eighteen studies involving 2,479 participants were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in overall aggressive behavior following physical exercise [SMD = -0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-0.89, -0.21), P  < 0.01]. Significant reductions in physical aggression [SMD = -0.56, 95% CI (-0.81, -0.32)], anger [SMD = -0.45, 95% CI (-0.68, -0.22)], and hostility [SMD = -0.46, 95% CI (-0.68, -0.24)] were observed, but verbal aggression showed no significant change [SMD = -0.28, 95% CI (-0.62, 0.06)]. Subgroup analyses of exercise intervention characteristics and participant demographics revealed significantly greater reductions in aggressive behavior with ball sports [SMD = -1.04, 95% CI (-1.46, -0.61)], noncontact group-based instruction [SMD = -1.18, 95% CI (-1.64, -0.73)], exercise duration of 8–16 weeks [SMD = -1.03, 95% CI (-1.57, -0.50)], and a session length of 30–60 min [SMD = -1.03, 95% CI (-1.61, -0.45)]. Participants with higher baseline aggression levels exhibited significantly greater reductions in aggressive behavior [SMD = -0.72, 95% CI (-1.22, -0.23)]. Conclusions Physical exercise significantly reduces aggressive behavior in children and adolescents. These reductions are moderated by the characteristics of the exercise interventions and participant demographics. Trial registration The study protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD420251038714).

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the materials and methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of biofeedback in the treatment of aggressive episodes in children and adolescents. Aggressive episodes are common in various disorders and are associated with deficits in emotional processing and impulse control, primarily due to dysfunctions in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC). These brain regions also regulate physiological arousal, influencing heart rate and other autonomic functions even before aggression manifests. These early signals can be shown to the person (biofeedback) reinforcing therapeutic skills to enhance emotional regulation and reduce aggression. A total of 70 participants will be recruited for a randomized controlled trial (RCT). All participants will receive therapy, although only the intervention group will incorporate biofeedback. The experimental study will be split into three blocks: (1) Home Monitoring: Physiological signals will be recorded using a smartwatch, and aggressive episodes will be captured with a camera; (2) Laboratory Assessment: Participants will attend three sessions, where therapists will induce aggressive reactions, using the video clips recorded at home. Simultaneously, real-time physiological signals will be measured. These sessions will also include relaxation periods before and after the provoked outburst; (3) Therapeutic Intervention: Similar to the laboratory assessment block, therapists will induce aggressive responses in three sessions; however, in this block, participants will receive therapy. Additionally, participants who belong to the intervention group, will include biofeedack in the therapy. Biofeedback is focused on heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and skin conductance level (SCL). The CACIA, the Stroop, and other pre- and post-experimental tests. will be used to assess the differences between the control and intervention groups. Emotions play a fundamental role in decision-making, social interactions, and mental health. Emotional dysregulation often leads to aggression, irritability, and anxiety. Showing physiological responses to patients, such as heart rate variability and skin conductance, may improve emotional awareness and regulation. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of including biofeedback in such therapy.

PurposeThe association between childhood psychological maltreatment and adolescents’ relational aggression is receiving growing attention. However, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying the association remain largely unknown. This study explores the link between childhood psychological maltreatment and relational aggression, examining whether moral disengagement mediates this association and the potential moderating effect of gender.Methods948 Chinese adolescents aged 9 to 19 years old (493 boys, 448 girls) participated in this research. Adolescents were recruited through cluster-stratified sampling to complete scales measuring childhood psychological maltreatment, moral disengagement, and relational aggression.ResultsWe found that childhood psychological maltreatment was positively correlated with adolescents’ moral disengagement and relational aggression; moral disengagement was also positively correlated with relational aggression. Moral disengagement mediated the effect of psychological maltreatment on relational aggression. The relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and moral disengagement was moderated by gender, with a larger moderating effect for boys than for girls.ConclusionThe findings from this study’s moderated mediation model suggest that educators should pay more attention to the childhood psychological maltreatment of adolescents with moral disengagement, particularly boys, so that they can provide more appropriate interventions.

This study investigated the mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between physical exercise and aggressive behavior in adolescents. We conducted a survey of 756 high school students, using standardized scales to assess physical exercise, self-esteem, and aggressive behavior. The results showed that physical exercise and self-esteem were significantly and negatively correlated with aggressive behavior, and that self-esteem played a mediating role in the relationship between physical exercise and aggressive behavior. These findings provide valuable insights for policy makers and school administrators, offering practical strategies to enhance the effectiveness of programs designed to reduce aggressive behavior among adolescents by promoting increased physical exercise and boosting self-esteem, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more positive school environment.

Using the three-dimensional model of executive function and the I3 theory of aggressive behavior, we examined the mediating roles of inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in the relationship between impulsivity and both proactive and reactive aggression in adolescents. We recruited 1,462 middle school and high school students in Sichuan Province, who completed the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Teenage Executive Function Inventory, and the Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire. Results showed that impulsivity was positively correlated with both proactive and reactive aggression, and was negatively correlated with the three subcomponents of executive function. The three-dimensional components of executive function in adolescents were negatively correlated with both proactive and reactive aggression. Further, impulsivity directly predicted both proactive and reactive aggression. In addition, all three subcomponents of executive function in parallel mediated the relationship between impulsivity and proactive aggression. However, only inhibition mediated the relationship between impulsivity and reactive aggression. In conclusion, improving executive function may reduce the impact of impulsivity on aggression.

Aggressive behaviors are common among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and correlate with pervasive social-emotional difficulties. Communication skill is an important correlate of disruptive behavior in typical development, and clarification of links between communication and aggression in ASD may inform intervention methods. We investigate child/family factors and communication in relation to aggression among 145 individuals with ASD (65 female; ages 8–17 years). Overall, more severe aggression was associated with younger age, lower family income, and difficulties with communication skills. However, this pattern of results was driven by males, and aggression was unrelated to child or family characteristics for females. Future work should incorporate these predictors in conjunction with broader contextual factors to understand aggressive behavior in females with ASD.

This study examines sex differences regarding social skills, behavior problems and bullying engagement, and the association of social skills and behavior problems with bullying engagement, in adolescents. Participants were 447 Portuguese adolescents (252 girls and 195 boys) aged between 12 and 19-years-old. Social skills and behavior problems were assessed using the self-report version of Social Skills Improvement System – Rating Scales. Bullying engagement was assessed using the Scale of Interpersonal Behavior at School. Girls scored higher on social skills and reported more internalizing and fewer externalizing problems than boys, whereas boys reported more aggressive verbal behaviors than girls. Adolescents exhibiting fewer social skills and more internalizing and externalizing problems engage more frequently in bullying aggressive behaviors. In addition, adolescents presenting more internalizing and externalizing problems are more often victimized by bullies. Furthermore, boys more frequently engage in bullying aggressive and victimization behaviors, whereas younger adolescents with more social skills tend to engage less frequently in bullying aggressive behaviors.

The role of testosterone, particularly in combination with cortisol, in aggression remains debated. According to the general aggression model, hormones interact with other variables, such individuals' knowledge structures, to predict aggression. This model may help explain inconsistent findings of previous research. Furthermore, the model posits that the influence of hormones on aggressive behavior is mediated by the individual's internal state. Accordingly, the objectives of this study are to assess whether (1) testosterone and cortisol, alone and in interaction with aggression-related knowledge structures, predict aggression in a standardized laboratory paradigm and whether (2) this association is mediated by hostile attribution, anger, and arousal. By identifying key moderators and mediators, this study seeks to make a very novel contribution to the understanding of the role of testosterone in aggressive behavior. These objectives will also be assessed separately for males and females. The Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm will be used to assess aggression. The sample will include 110 youths aged 17-19 (50% male). Participants will provide saliva samples before and after completing the paradigm, along with measures of three aggression-related knowledge structures (justification of violence, hostility, and narcissism) collected before the paradigm. Measures of two mediators (hostile attribution, anger) will be obtained after completing the paradigm. Arousal levels (heart rate and skin conductance) will be recorded before, after, and while completing the paradigm. The hypotheses will be tested using path analysis models, examining both the testosterone/cortisol ratio and the interaction between testosterone and cortisol as well as both baseline hormone levels and changes in hormone levels. Although it may be limited by the use of saliva for measuring hormones, this study will enhance the current understanding of the role of testosterone and cortisol in aggressive behavior among youths by investigating novel hypotheses related to psychological moderating and mediating factors.