Aggression: Risk Factors in the Person and the Situation

Author(s):  
Barbara Krahé

Aggressive behavior is defined as social behavior carried out with the intention to harm. Violence denotes those forms of aggression that are intended to cause severe physical harm. Aggressive behavior has severe negative consequences for individuals, social groups, and societies as a whole. Therefore, understanding why some individuals are more prone to engaging in aggressive behavior than others and some situational circumstances and social contexts are more likely to elicit aggressive behavior is a critical task. Influential psychological theories of aggression conceptualize aggression as the result of the interplay between variables in the person and the situation. To explain individual differences in aggressive behavior, one line of research has looked at broad personality dimensions, such as self-esteem and narcissism, lack of self-control, and the “Big-Five” personality factors. Evidence shows that high narcissism, low self-control, low openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness, and high neuroticism are linked to a higher propensity to engage in aggressive behavior. Another line of research has focused on more circumscribed, aggression-related personality constructs, demonstrating that individuals who are habitually anger-prone, have a tendency ruminate about anger-eliciting experiences, and show a hostile attributional style in terms of seeing other persons’ behavior as an expression of hostile intent are more likely to show aggressive behavior. On the side of the situation and social environment, several conditions have been identified under which the likelihood of aggressive behavior is increased. Individuals are more likely to show aggressive behavior when they have consumed alcohol, after they have experienced social rejection by others, when aggressive cues, such as weapons, are present in the situation, and when they have access to a firearm. Aggression is also more likely to be shown under conditions of anonymity and high temperature and as a result of regular exposure to depictions of violence in the media. In addition to such “main effects,” there is evidence of an interactive effect of individual and situational characteristics. For example, the impact of exposure to violent media is greater on individuals with a higher disposition to show aggressive behavior, and the effect of alcohol consumption on aggression is greater among people who are habitually prone to engage in angry rumination. Approaches to preventing aggression may build on the evidence on personal and situational differences. For example, anger management trainings may promote better control of angry impulses, focusing on the personal risk factors for aggression, whereas providing role models who show nonaggressive responses in anger-eliciting situations reflects a focus on situational interventions. In conclusion, personality and situational variables need to be considered in combination and interaction to predict when aggressive behavior is likely to occur. Gaining a better understanding of the factors promoting aggressive behavior needs to remain high on the agenda for theory building and empirical research in psychology.

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-55
Author(s):  
Petra Mlakar ◽  
Janez Stare

Presenteeism, or the act of attending work while sick or despite feeling unwell, is a relatively new concept in the sphere of work. It is a phenomenon that has begun to be monitored more intensively around the world in the last decade. Presenteeism can affect an employee’s work in various ways and its consequences mean that it is already a problem in itself. Employers devote too little attention to it or are frequently not even aware of it. The majority of employers are in fact too often focused on the growing problem of absence from work because of sickness (absenteeism) and on eliminating the negative consequences of absenteeism, and do not (yet) see presenteeism as a problem. The research presented in this article deals with the question of the impact of employee characteristics on the phenomenon of presenteeism. The characteristics considered included ambition, financial worries, job security, sick leave and the physical and mental health of employees.


2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052090618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyse J. Thulin ◽  
Justin E. Heinze ◽  
Yasamin Kusunoki ◽  
Hsing-Fang Hsieh ◽  
Marc A. Zimmerman

Within a lifetime, one in four women and more than one in 10 men will experience intimate partner violence (IPV). Researchers have begun to examine physical and social neighborhood risk factors of IPV, often using cross-sectional data. Most studies focus on risk or promotive factors. Often, neighborhood factors are studied through the lens of social disorganization theory, which focuses on how a neighborhood slips into a violent and crime-ridden place. Busy streets theory provides an alternative perspective, focusing on how building up community assets and resources may help create a safe and vibrant neighborhood. A conceptual approach that utilizes risk and promotive neighborhood variables may help develop new conceptual frameworks for understanding how context may decrease risk for, or moderate, the negative consequences of IPV. Using five waves of data from a 24-year longitudinal study, we employ multilevel linear regression models to examine the trajectory of IPV experiences in relation to positive perceptions of neighborhood, neighborhood cohesion, and informal social control in individuals aged 28 to 33 years. We control for the neighborhood and individual-level risk factors of alcohol consumption, drug use, observed neighborhood violence, and demographic factors of age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status. We found that positive perceptions of neighborhood, alcohol consumption, drug use, economic need, and observed neighborhood violence are associated with IPV. Levels of IPV risk were relatively constant within individuals across waves, but varied significantly between individuals. The measure of positive perceptions of neighborhood is derived from busy streets theory, which may be a useful conceptual framework for understanding how neighborhoods may contribute to positive social contexts that can protect residents from IPV experiences, and potentially other violent behavior. Additional research examining promotive social neighborhood features derived from busy streets theory may help expand our understanding of contextual factors that affect IPV.


2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (11) ◽  
pp. 2660-2680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dawn Lee ◽  
Mahitab Hanbazaza ◽  
Geoff D.C. Ball ◽  
Anna Farmer ◽  
Katerina Maximova ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conduct a narrative review of the food insecurity literature pertaining to university and college students studying in Very High Human Development Index countries. It aims to document food insecurity prevalence, risk factors for and consequences of food insecurity and food insecurity coping strategies among students. Design/methodology/approach English articles published between January 2000 and November 2017 were identified using electronic databases. Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies assessed the study quality of quantitative research. Findings A total of 37 quantitative, three mixed-methods and three qualitative studies were included from 80,914 students from the USA (n=30 studies), Australia (n=4), Canada (n=8) and Poland (n=1). Prevalence estimates of food insecurity were 9–89 percent. All quantitative studies were rated weak based on the quality assessment. Risk factors for food insecurity included being low income, living away from home or being an ethnic minority. Negative consequences of food insecurity were reported, including reduced academic performance and poor diet quality. Strategies to mitigate food insecurity were numerous, including accessing food charities, buying cheaper food and borrowing resources from friends or relatives. Research limitations/implications Given the heterogeneity across studies, a precise estimate of the prevalence of food insecurity in postsecondary students is unknown. Practical implications For many students studying in wealthy countries, obtaining a postsecondary education might mean enduring years of food insecurity and consequently, suffering a range of negative academic, nutritional and health outcomes. There is a need to quantify the magnitude of food insecurity in postsecondary students, to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies to reduce the impact of food insecurity on campus. Originality/value This review brings together the existing literature on food insecurity among postsecondary students studying in wealthy countries to allow a better understanding of the condition in this understudied group.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Godrich ◽  
Christina Davies ◽  
Jill Darby ◽  
Amanda Devine

Fruit and vegetables (F&V) are imperative for good health, yet less than one per cent of Australian children consume these food groups in sufficient quantities. As guided by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this paper aimed to: (i) understand key informant perspectives of the amount, types and quality of F&V consumed by rural and remote Western Australian (WA) children; and, (ii) determine strategies that could increase F&V consumption among rural and remote WA children. This qualitative study included 20 semi-structured interviews with health, school/youth and food supply workers, focusing on topics including: quantity and type of F&V consumed and strategies to increase children’s consumption. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo qualitative data analysis software (Version 10, 2014. QSR International Pty Ltd., Doncaster, Victoria, Australia). Key informants reported children consumed energy-dense nutrient-poor foods in place of F&V. Strategy themes included: using relevant motivators for children to increase their preference for F&V (i.e., gaming approach, SCT construct of ‘expectations’); empowering community-driven initiatives (i.e., kitchen gardens, SCT construct of ‘environment’); increasing food literacy across settings (i.e., food literacy skills, SCT construct of ‘behavioural capacity’); developing salient messages and cooking tips that resonate with parents (i.e., parent newsletters, SCT construct of ‘self-control’); increasing F&V availability, safety, and convenience (i.e., school provision); and, considering the impact of role models that extend beyond the family (i.e., relatable role models, SCT construct of ‘observational learning’). Overall, a comprehensive strategy that incorporates relevant motivators for children and families, supports local initiatives, reinforces the range of role models that are involved with children and creates healthier environments, is required to increase F&V consumption among children.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Hamdan Rasheed Abdullah Al-Jammal

The study is concerned with the emotional intelligence in the surveyed organizations and its impact on them as well as on its employees. The researcher collected data and information from primary and secondary sources through preparing a questionnaire and determining its four axes: self-awareness, self-control, emotional balance and adopting the democratic style at work and distributing it to managers and their assistants in the banks mentioned in the study population. The study reached to the following results:1. The study found that there is a relationship between self-awareness (self-realization) and the effectiveness of leadership in decision-making, where leaders exceed all their problems in the past, be able to determine the feelings of others toward them, show enthusiasm in dealing with employees, enjoy making friends with them, and deal objectively with all the issues in the organization.2. The study found that there is a relationship between self-control and the effectiveness of leadership in decision-making, where leaders are open to employees in a codified method to keep calm, feel scared of talking in meetings, do not feel a sense of anger at criticizing any of the employees, involve their emotions and feelings when discussing with any employee, show their anger during discussing with any employee, make others feel they are liked during discussion and finally listen well and not interrupting others.3 - The study found that there is a relationship between the emotional balance and the effectiveness of leadership in decision-making, where leaders held themselves accountable after each discussion, sit in quiet and contemplative sessions after work, are able to solve problems quietly, and are characterized with flexibility in dealing with their problems.4. The study found that there is a relationship between adopting the democratic style and the effectiveness of leadership in decision-making, where leaders do not allow others to participate in the traditional decisions, consult some employees when making decisions, involve employees in taking vital decisions, collect data and information before making decisions, delegate some employees with decision making, hold employees responsible for the wrong decision, and employ emotions when trying to convince others with a certain decision.The study recommended that there should be programs to develop the leadership ability to strengthen the sense of the self-awareness of managers and other employees in the field of decision-making. Furthermore, Leaders should exceed all their previous events that may adversely affect the work of the organization not allowing them to affect them negatively when making decisions or dealing with employees.The study also calls for leaders and managers to control themselves while dealing with employees and not allowing anger at work to control them leading to hasty decisions resulting from the impact of anger or instability. They also should choose the proper and convenient time to study the alternatives and select the appropriate alternative to achieve the goals and objectives of both the organization and employees far from all the negative attractions.The study called for employees in management and decision-making in the surveyed organizations to hold quiet sessions after work to review their work and relationships arising from working with employees; self-accountability is one of the best means that verifies and activates the emotional intelligence among employees in the organization, especially the decisions issued and the problems they face as well as their review for the proposed solutions.The study recommended organizations to prepare training programs to develop the emotional intelligence of all employees either managers or subordinates of the surveyed organizations and make the emotional intelligence a part of the culture of the organization to reach to its dimensions so as managers can be role models for other employees.It also recommended to adopt the democratic style in management to remove the physical and moral barriers between managers and other employees, involve employees in decision-making and achieve their needs and desires and finally increase the social gatherings among all employees outside work, such as holding concerts, seminars and trips so as employees can get closer to each other in an environment of love and contentment.The study also calls for researchers to pay greater attention to the emotional intelligence due to its significant role in raising the morale of employees and achieve satisfaction and goals of the organization.


Author(s):  
Chiara Rossi ◽  
Andrea Bonanomi ◽  
Osmano Oasi

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has had a strong psychological impact on the Italian population. Italy was heavily affected by the virus before other countries in Europe, experiencing the highest number of deaths. Unknown symptoms in the early stages of the pandemic and the absence of clear transmission links affected people’s wellbeing. Individual personality differences played a key role in perceived psychological wellbeing during the pandemic. The present exploratory study sought to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health and identify how psychological wellbeing is influenced by personality traits. A total of 2103 participants (64% female and 36% male) completed an online survey that included the Psychological General Wellbeing Index (PGWBI), the Italian Short Personality Inventory (ITAPI), and a general questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regressions were performed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) (The findings showed poor psychological wellbeing in the Italian population. Young people reported the lowest scores. Vulnerability traits negatively influenced some PGWBI domains, such as the total score (β = −0.62), anxiety (β = −0.55), depression (β = −0.46), positivity and wellbeing (β = −0.51), vitality (β = −0.45), general health (β = −0.12), and self-control (β = −0.52). On the other hand, dynamism traits positively affected vitality (β = 0.12) and positivity and wellbeing (β = 0.14). In other words, personality factors related to vulnerability in particular created risk, whereas dynamism offered protection. The results highlight how COVID-19 helped to trigger anxious and depressive states. People feel helpless and vulnerable when facing new, unexpected conditions caused by the virus. These findings may assist mental healthcare professionals in safeguarding psychological wellbeing during emergencies such as the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-237
Author(s):  
Marris R. Reyes

Purpose of the study: The main objective of this study is to examine the risk factors for internet gaming disorder (IGD). Specifically, it aims to: measure the severity of internet gaming among Filipino students; describe their internet gaming characteristic; and, identify which among the risk factors predict IGD. Methodology: Students who displayed five or more symptoms in the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGD9-SF) were identified. The internet gaming characteristics, Brief Self Control Scale (BSCS) to identify self-control levels, and Mini-IPIP for the personality of the participants were also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis to identify the significant risk factors for IGD using SPSS 17.0. Main Findings: Internet gaming characteristics such as time spent, money spent, and devices used were significant risk factors to IGD. Psychological factors such as self-control and personality traits (agreeableness and openness) were established and were also significant risk factors. The lower the self-control the higher the risk of developing IGD, as well as the more agreeable and open the gamers are the higher the risk to IGD. Applications of this study: Researchers and therapists should focus on developing intervention methods focusing on minimizing the device's exposure to lessen time and money spent in gaming as well as strengthening the self-control of the gamers.  Novelty/Originality of this study: This psychological inquiry contributed to the emerging psychological disorder IGD shedding light on its current debates and controversies. This established risk factors to IGD among Filipino students who are time spent, money spent, devices used, self-control, and personality factors such as agreeableness and openness.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Barnes ◽  
Kevin M. Beaver ◽  
Eric J. Connolly ◽  
Joseph A. Schwartz

There has been significant interest in examining the developmental factors that predispose individuals to chronic criminal offending. This body of research has identified some social-environmental risk factors as potentially important. At the same time, the research producing these results has generally failed to employ genetically sensitive research designs, thereby potentially generating biased parameter estimates. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by using both a standard social science methodology (SSSM) and two separate genetically informative research designs to examine whether parent, teacher, and peer risk factors are associated with four maladaptive outcomes: arrests, low IQ, reduced self-control, and a combined measure of the “truly disadvantaged.” Analysis of twin pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health revealed that the SSSMs produced upwardly biased estimates of the impact of social-environmental influences on each of the four outcomes. Once genetic factors were controlled, the effect of social-environmental risk was reduced (but remained significant in certain cases). We conclude by discussing these findings in the context of criminal justice policy and their implications for future criminological research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
Ram Briksh Mandal

This study aims to examine the impact of corruption on economic growth in Nepal for the period 2004 - 2017. The result of the regression analysis shows that there is a negative relationship between the dependent variable (GDP) and corruption level in Nepal. This means that as the level of corruption activities increases, economic growth decreases significantly. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommend as follows: The activities of the anticorruption agencies in Nepal such as The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) should be strengthened; the public should be educated about the problems that corrupt practices create for the economy and the society at large, and be discouraged from participating incorrupt practices. Nepal should put in leadership positions honest individuals who would serve as role models to minimize the negative consequences of corruption with its negative impact on the development and growth of Nepal; corruption is easily growing in Nepal because government involvement in economic decision making is high.


Webology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (Special Issue 03) ◽  
pp. 233-245
Author(s):  
Navreet Kaur ◽  
Anmol Sandhu

Online Social Networks (OSNs) have redefined interpersonal relationships and added a new dimension to communication patterns. According to latest reports, there has been a steep rise in the number of active social media users around the globe. The present paper is a review of research evidence on the antecedent factors leading to such usage and its consequences thereof. Unique features of the virtual environment trigger certain personality traits which are reported to be major predictors of social networking behaviour. Studies on the impact of social media on consumers have unearthed both positive and negative consequences. Research findings, for example, reveal that social media consumption has a therapeutic effect in terms of fulfilment of certain needs and an increase in self-esteem; whereas activation of a narcissistic state and lowered self-control have an adverse effect on psychological well-being and behaviour. The paper summarizes the workplace implications of web-based social networking and also briefly discusses the recent and emerging trends in digital behaviours with particular reference to the Covid-19 pandemic.


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