Aggression and delinquent behavior in a large representative sample of high school students: Cannabis use and victimization as key discriminating factors

Adolescent Patients'experiences of Mental Disorders Related to School Bullying

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the real inner experience and nursing needs of adolescent patients who suffered from school bullying, and to develop a treatment plan to restore adolescent mental health.

Methods

Using the maximum difference sampling method, 15 adolescent patients were interviewed by psychologists and nurses, and the interview results were analyzed by topic induction.

Results

Among the 15 participants, 12 (80%) felt helpless, 13 (86.7%) had serious negative emotions, and 10 (66.7%) felt anxious about personal growth. Based on the semi-structured interviews, the psychological states of participants were summarized into three themes: Helplessness, Severe negative emotions, and Anxiety about personal growth. Under the theme of serious negative emotions, it was further divided into three sub-themes: Frustration and Distrust, Rebellion, Insecurity and depression. These themes reflected the significant impact of school bullying on the psychological status of the participants.

Conclusion

The internal experience of adolescent patients with mental disorders caused by school bullying mainly includes helplessness, serious negative emotions and anxiety about personal growth. It is recommended to evaluate and diagnose patients' existing and potential health problems individually during clinical treatment and care. On the basis of comprehensive assessment, psychological counseling should be provided and support from family and school should be sought to promote positive mental health and personal growth of adolescents.

The company you keep: The neglected role of affiliating with delinquent friends in the development of the cannabis-violence link

A growing body of research suggests a potential role of cannabis use on aggressive behaviors. In literature on adolescents, the lack of consideration of important confounders, such as adolescent's affiliation with delinquent peers, limits the possibility to determine whether there might be a direct or indirect link between cannabis use and aggression. Therefore, we sought to examine the effect of delinquent peers on the association between cannabis use and violence. We re-analyzed data from 850 ninth graders who were followed from mid-adolescence to early adulthood. Generalized Estimations Equations (GEE) were conducted to examine whether affiliation with delinquent peers may mediate the relationship between cannabis use and violence. Cross-Lagged Panel Models were also conducted to estimate the directionality of these relationships over time. We additionally tested whether similar relationships may be identifiable when examining rule-breaking behaviors and/or alcohol use. GEE models revealed that both cannabis use and affiliation with delinquent peers were statistically associated with aggressive behaviors. Cannabis use, alcohol use and delinquent peers also predicted rule-breaking behaviors. More precisely, cross-lagged models showed that affiliation with delinquent peers played a partially mediating role in the cannabis-aggression link, and that similar cross-lagged estimates were observed when examining rule-breaking behaviors instead of aggression. Our results indicate that cannabis use may be associated with aggression as well as rule-breaking behaviors, suggesting a broader effect on conduct problems. More importantly, our study highlights the non-negligible role of affiliating with delinquent peers during adolescence.

Development of symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder from preschool to adolescence: the role of bullying victimization and emotion regulation

BACKGROUND

Childhood oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is associated with adverse outcomes which can continue to impair life well into adulthood. Identifying modifiable etiological factors of ODD is therefore essential. Although bullying victimization and poor emotion regulation are assumed to be risk factors for the development of ODD symptoms, little research has been conducted to test this possibility.

METHODS

A sample (n = 1,042) from two birth cohorts of children in the city of Trondheim, Norway, was assessed biennially from age 4 to 14 years. Parents and children (from age 8) were assessed with clinical interviews to determine symptoms of ODD, children reported on their victimization from bullying, and teachers reported on children's emotion regulation.

RESULTS

Oppositional defiant disorder symptoms increased from age 4 to 6, from age 8 to 10, and then started to wane as children entered adolescence. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model revealed that increased emotion regulation predicted a reduced number of ODD symptoms across development (β = -.15 to -.13, p < .001). This prediction was equally strong for the angry/irritable and argumentative/defiant dimensions of ODD. No longitudinal links were observed between bullying victimization and ODD symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving emotion regulation skills may protect against ODD symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence.