Precursors to aggression are evident by 6 months of age

Hay, Dale F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2505-0453, Waters, Cerith S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7049-9906, Perra, Oliver, Swift, Naomi, Kairis, Victoria, Phillips, Rebecca, Jones, Roland, Goodyer, Ian, Harold, Gordon, Thapar, Anita ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3689-737X and van Goozen, Stephanie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5983-4734 2014. Precursors to aggression are evident by 6 months of age. Developmental Science 17 (3) , pp. 471-480. 10.1111/desc.12133

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Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that developmental precursors to aggression are apparent in infancy. Up to three informants rated 301 firstborn infants for early signs of anger, hitting and biting; 279 (93%) were assessed again as toddlers. Informants' ratings were validated by direct observation at both ages. The precursor behaviours were significantly associated with known risk factors for high levels of aggressiveness. Individual differences were stable from early infancy to the third year and predicted broader conduct problems. These findings suggest that some individuals set forth on the trajectory to high levels of aggression by 6 months of age. The findings have implications for developmental studies of aggression, clinical prevention and intervention strategies, and theoretical considerations regarding the detection of precursors in different domains of development.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology Medicine Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI) MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Additional Information:	This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1363-755X
Funders:	MRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	19 July 2013
Last Modified:	12 Aug 2024 12:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/59953

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