Comparing types of aggression in individuals with psychotic and neurotic disorders

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to compare the types of aggression in individuals suffering from psychotic and neurotic disorders. The research was designed as Independent group design. It was hypothesized that there would be difference on the variables of aggression [i.e. physical and verbal], anger and hostility in individuals with psychotic and neurotic disorders. In order to test the hypotheses a sample of 47 patients [21 psychotic and 26 neurotic patients] was taken from the Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi and Gulshan Psychiatric Hospital. Their age range was between 20-50 years [M=29.8 years; SD=10.02] and their education level was at least Intermediate. The Aggression Questionnaire [Buss and Perry, 1992] was administered to assess the types of aggression present. In order to interpret the results, mean and t- test was computed. Results show that there is a significant difference of mean between verbal aggression of individuals with psychotic and neurotic disorders [t= 2.611, df = 45, p< .05]. However, there was an insignificant mean difference in aggression [t =1.282, df =45, p> .05], physical aggression [t=.038, df= 45, p> .05], anger [t=1.366, df= 45, p> .05] and hostility [t=.869, df= 45, p> .05] present in individuals with psychotic and neurotic disorders