Aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents. Part 1: a review of the effects of child and family characteristics

ABSTRACT

Interpersonal violence is a major public health concern throughout the West Indies, particularly in Jamaica. Many factors contribute to a youth's violent or aggressive behaviour, ranging from individual temperamemt, to family structure, to large sociocultural influences. In Part 1. we review the incidence and severity of violence, and discuss the effects of individual characteristics, and of family structure and discipline. In Part 11, the reported effects of school structure, peer relationships and interaction, corporal punishment and the media on violenct behaviour in children and adolescents are reviewed, and potential policy implication are discussed.(AU)