Correlations of impulsivity and aggressive behaviours among adolescents in Shanghai, China using bioecological model: cross-sectional data from Global Early Adolescent Study.

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101552874 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2044-6055 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20446055 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMJ Open Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: [London] : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2011-

Adolescent Behavior*; Adolescent ; China/epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Infant ; Male ; Schools

Objective: To examine the correlations between impulsivity and aggressive behaviours among Chinese adolescents.
Design: A school-based cross-sectional study.
Setting: Three primary middle schools located in less developed communities of Shanghai.
Participants: 1524 adolescents aged 11-16 years.
Measures: The impulsivity was measured by Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and the aggressive behaviours were determined by self-reports. Data were collected through computer-assisted self-interview using tablets. Multivariate Firth logistic regression model was conducted to examine correlations between total, attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity and aggressive behaviours, respectively.
Results: Totally, 7.48% of participants reported aggressive behaviours toward others during the past 6 months. The proportion of aggressors among boys and girls was 10.60% and 4.18%, respectively. Results of the multivariate regression suggested the risk of aggressive behaviours was significantly increased among those with the highest tertile of total impulsivity (adjusted OR (aOR) boys =3.14, 95% CI: 1.48 to 6.65; aOR girls =3.74, 95% CI: 1.10 to 12.76) and motor impulsivity (aOR boys =2.91, 95% CI: 1.46 to 5.82; aOR girls =3.57, 95% CI: 1.25 to 10.20.), comparing with those with the lowest tertile, for boys and girls, respectively. Besides, younger age, lower social cohesion and being bullied within 6 months were associated with a higher risk of aggressive behaviours among girls. Less family caring and being bullied within 6 months were associated with the risk among boys.
Conclusions: The present study indicates a positive association between impulsivity and aggressive behaviours, with a more salient correlation between motor impulsivity subtrait and aggressive behaviour among both boys and girls. Furthermore, adolescents' aggressive behaviours were affected by multiple factors from individuals, family, peers and community. Comprehensive intervention strategies such as controlling the aggressor's impulsivity, helping them better channel their anger, creating a better family, school and neighbourhood environment, and providing support and services for victims of violence are needed.
Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
(© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

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Keywords: child & adolescent psychiatry; impulse control disorders; public health

Date Created: 20210716 Date Completed: 20210803 Latest Revision: 20210803

20240105

PMC8286771

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043785

34266836