A comparison of aggressive behavior and influencing factors of family environment between firstborn and only children in primary school / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To understand aggressive behavior and associated family determinants of firstborn and only children in primary school, so as to provide the basis for child aggressive behavior prevention.@*Methods@#Using stratified cluster sampling method, 922 pupils from grade 2 to grade 6 were selected from three primary schools in Bengbu. The questionnaire survey included general information, family background and child aggressive behaviors.@*Results@#Among boys, the 7 year old only child scored [26.0(22.0,34.5)] higher than firstborn children [20.0(17.5,26.5)] in overall aggression, and the 9-year-old firstborn child [ 27.5 (23.0,34.3)] scored higher than the only child [23.0(18.5,28.5)]. The scores of 8-year-old firstborn child in the dimension of physical aggression [7.0(4.0,11.0)] were higher than that of only child [5.0(3.0,8.0)] ( Z=1.97, 2.39, 2.11, P < 0.05 ). Among girls, 8-year-old only child scored higher [5.0(3.0,7.0)] in the dimension of physical aggression than that of the firstborn child [ 3.0 (3.0,4.0)], and the 12-year-old firstborn child scored [7.0(6.0,8.0)] higher in the dimension of hostility than that of the only child [4.5(3.3,9.0)] ( Z=2.48, 1.98, P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis found that boys of firstborn children scored higher in all dimensions of aggressive behavior than those of girls except hostility, and paternal education was negatively associated with physical aggression and hostility ( P <0.05). Age was positively associated with verbal aggression among the only children ( P <0.05). Family economic status was negatively associated with physical aggression ( P <0.05). Paternal education was negatively associated with hostility among students with anger and hostility of family members higher than that of parents ( P < 0.05 ).@*Conclusion@#Higher family economic status, high quality of parent company and appropriate parenting style can reduce the occurrence of children s aggressive behavior and promote healthy physical and psychological development.