1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« With the objective of guiding preventive interventions by learning more about the early development of physical aggression, the study looked at the trajectories of physical aggression during early childhood and the antecedents of high levels of physical aggression displayed by some children. » (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The study entailed the collection of survey data from a random sample of 572 families with a five-month old newborn. Information was obtained the mothers at 17, 30, and 42 months after the birth of their babies. » (p. 1)

Instruments :
La procédure « included information on the nature and frequency of physical aggression. The mothers were then interviewed about their own school-age behavioural problems, as well as more recent factors such as smoking and drinking during pregnancy and current family conflicts. Mothers were asked to rate their infants’ temperament and describe their parenting habits. » (p. 3)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Aggressive behaviour is typically associated with older children. Research suggests however, that it may actually peak in the second year of life and steadily decline after that. Most children learn to regulate physical aggression during the preschool years, but a significant number of boys and girls will continue to display this behaviour as adolescents and adults.
The study summarized in this Policy Brief looks at the early development of physical aggression in children. The research team was able to identify the developmental trajectories of physical aggression during early childhood and to determine the antecedents of high levels of physical aggression in some children. » (p. 1)