The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Adult Aggressive Behavior



ABSTRACT

The aim of this quantitative study is to analyze the influence of the adverse childhood experiences on the adult aggressive behavior. This study will employ a quantitative survey design by selecting two groups of partic0ants ranging from the age 18-24. These groups will be compared to understand the extent to which the early experience contributed to the aggression. The results will be analyzed by using codlings and interpretations that will judge the effect of various aspects like affect of alcohol, marital aggression, family violence and abusive treatment on the later life of the children. This study will facilitate the current literature, and the community to understand about the role of parents and peers in influencing children.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT2

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION4

BACKGROUND4

PROBLEM STATEMENT7

PURPOSE OF STUDY7

RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES8

THEORECTICAL FRAMEWORK9

The Social Learning Theory9

The Ecological System Theory10

Critique and Multicultural Analysis11

NATURE OF THE STUDY12

DEFINITION OF TERMS13

ASSUMPTIONS13

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS14

LIMITATIONS14

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY16

Social Change Implication17

SUMMARY18

REFERENCES19

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The significance of addressing crime-related issues is to analyze factors that may contribute towards violence and its impact on the well being and mental health of young adults. The need for conducting this study arises from the gradual increase of crimes and the factors that are related to the early childhood experience bringing about aggressive behavior (Olson, Dweck, 2008). The adult childhood experiences experet the stage for patterns of behavior that emerge during adulthood, in peer groups and in intimate, heterosexual interactions (Zero, 2005).

Like most behaviors, researchers have theorized that aggression can be learned. Children learn from observations in the home, from peer interactions, and from media depictions of male-female interactions that boys stereotypically perceive themselves as dominant figures and girls as submissive figures (Killen, Kelly, 2010).

BACKGROUND

The current literature on aggression and early childhood experiences has focused mostly on the reasons of aggressive behavior among children and not mostly on the relationship between the adverse experiences and aggression. For example, a study conducted by Card, Stucky, (2008) showed that aggression is closely linked with permanent patterns of violence among young adults (Ostrov, Walton, Cohen, 2007, Card, Stucky, 2008, McCloskey, 2003). This research suggested that prolonged exposure to violence, within the home and community, increases the probability of children becoming more accepting of aggressive behaviors, desensitized towards violence and its consequences, and are more likely to display violent behaviors (Justice, Benitez, Pichardo, Fernandez, 2006). Children who are exposed to violence are negatively impacted socially and psychologically (World Health Organization, 2002).

On the other hand, a study by Broidy, Nagin, (2003) shows that violent crime show that violent acts committed by young adults are significant public health issues (Levendosky, Huth, 2002). Fatal and non-fatal assaults disproportionately affect the young population, as both perpetrators and victims, in the United States. According to the United States statistics of youth crime, the juvenile arrest rate for aggravated assault increased between 1980 and 1994 and then substantially declined to 39% in 2004 (Vander, Crandell,2010). The declination pattern in juvenile arrest was interrupted with a 2% ...