Why Does Aggressive Child Behavior Occur, and How Do You Deal with It

Humans are not inherently programmed to view the world as hostile, but sometimes mechanisms trigger aggressive child behavior psychology to ensure survival. Anyone can display aggression, but whether or not they will do so depends on several factors.

Aggressive behavior in a young child, like in adults, is almost always the result of internal or external processes. It is crucial for parents to understand what causes a child to be aggressive. Child aggression cannot be considered a separate phenomenon, as it is often a symptom that indicates the presence of issues that may be psychophysiological. The polymorphism of this state means that aggression cannot be treated without identifying the underlying cause. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate the provoking factor to eliminate such symptoms.

What causes aggressive behavior in a child

Let's examine the causes of aggressive behavior in a young child:

1. Bipolar disorder: A severe mental illness that results in frequent mood changes and uncaused mood swings, from the maximum (activity, euphoria, emotional arousal) to the minimum (irritability, depression, anxiety, sadness). While the disease manifests itself in adolescence, the beginnings can be observed in childhood. The unclear symptom patterns complicate diagnosis in children under 12 years old, and only a doctor can determine it.

2. Psychosis: Even more complex states, such as schizophrenia, manifest themselves in the form of aggressiveness. Such children are too distrustful, paranoid, suspicious, and afraid of everything. Without medical and psychological correction, this state is aggravated by aggression to the point of attacking others or self-harm. Only a doctor can diagnose this as a cause of aggressive child behavior psychology.

3. Delays in intellectual development: Children with lower cognitive functions, as well as those with autism, display aggression that results from anxiety and disappointment with their own abilities. They cannot express their thoughts and feelings, creating child aggressive behavior towards others. Discuss this with your doctor.

4. ADHD: Children with ADHD may seem detached, heartless, angry, and of course, aggressive. Hyperactive children cannot assess the impact of their actions and act impulsively. No matter how society tries to deny this official diagnosis, ADHD syndrome cannot be equated with childish bad manners.

5. Skull injuries and epilepsy: There is also a purely physiological nature of aggressiveness. Skull injuries and frontal lobe damage is what causes aggressive behavior in a child. Similar cases were observed in children with epilepsy.

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6. Psycho-emotional trauma: What causes a child to be aggressive ? There can be many situations. Sometimes, mentally healthy children are traumatized by certain factors and, as a consequence, become aggressive. This is facilitated by stressful situations, poor living conditions, drinking parents, etc.

7. Confusion: Sometimes children are left with very adult problems. Due to their age, they cannot objectively solve problems, and aggression emerges as a logical outcome of the rejection of a heavy burden.

8. Genetic factor: What causes a child to be aggressive can be genetic. Stress experienced in childhood has far-reaching consequences. It can even reprogram the functioning of human genes and influence future generations. This was proven in research conducted by a group of American scientists led by Paul Feig and Gin Rodriguez in 2013.

9. Computer games: It is known that violent games provoke the transfer of some details of the plot into reality. After spending many hours in games such as World of Warcraft or GTA, a child experiences significant mental overload, resulting in overexcitation, uncontrolled behavior, and aggressiveness.

10. Hormonal imbalance: What causes a child to be aggressive can be hormones. Violation of cortisol production during stressful situations or, on the contrary, excessive production of this hormone can provoke aggressive behavior in a young child. In the first case, a child apathetically suffers a stressful situation, and only when a sufficient amount of the hormone of fear is produced does it result in a reaction, but in an aggressive form. In the second case, aggression appears immediately.

11. Negative environmental conditions: Negative environmental conditions can have a strong influence on a child's personality. Sometimes, children may display aggressive behavior as a result. However, it's important to understand that this behavior is not necessarily because the child wants to or enjoys this type of lifestyle. Children are like sponges, absorbing everything that surrounds them, including the behavior of those around them.

What other factors contribute to aggressive behavior in a young child? In 1961, Canadian-American psychologist Albert Bandura conducted a study with two groups of children.

The first group observed an adult entering the room and physically abusing a doll, while the second group saw an adult playing gently with the same doll. Afterwards, when the children were given the dolls to play with, those in the first group exhibited the same abusive behavior they had witnessed in the adult. Another study found that when a person scolded a child for bullying a doll, it had an educational effect and the children did not repeat the abusive behavior.

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This study confirmed that children are highly likely to replicate examples of unpunished aggression they have observed. 

Family, society, and specialists 

When dealing with an angry and aggressive child, it is important to consider three factors: the family, the wider society, and specialists.

Family

Parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members play a crucial role in a child's life and can have a significant influence on their behavior. However, when a child displays psychologically aggressive behavior, setting a good example may not be enough. Parents need to make a conscious effort to help their children overcome this behavior.

Society

The wider environment can also have a significant impact on a child's behavior. Parents may choose to move to a better area or enroll their child in a good school to improve their surroundings. This can be particularly significant in adolescence, when peers and societal expectations can heavily influence a child's decision-making and behavior.

Specialists

Studies have shown that parents who receive expert support are better equipped to handle aggressive behavior in a young child. Therefore, psychologists and psychotherapists have an important role to play in advising not just the child, but also the parents.

How to handle an angry aggressive child

Here are some tips on how to deal with an aggressive child:

1. Tantrums

How to manage aggressive child behavior ? When a child throws a tantrum, it is better to step back, move to another room, or take a child away from any audience. This allows the child to calm down without any added pressure.

2. Negative thoughts and revenge

When a child expresses negative thoughts or threatens revenge, give them a shock. Hug them, kiss them, and tell them how much you love them. This can often be enough to discourage a child from demonstrating aggressive behavior.

3. Physical violence

If a child tries to hit or bite, stay calm and be patient. Keep them away from others and isolate them in a separate room or hallway. Hold their hands and describe their actions clearly: "You just tried to hit me." This can help the child see their behavior from a different perspective. It is important not to resort to shouting, threats, or physical punishment.

4. Quick temper

If you know your child is easily stressed, avoid taking them to loud or overwhelming environments. How to help a child with aggressive behavior? If they do become agitated, try to distract them with something else to help them calm down quickly.

5. Bullying

If your child bullies others, take the time to explain the consequences of their actions. Encourage them to take responsibility for their behavior and make amends if necessary.

Also: How To Help Your Child Deal With Bullies At School

6. Aggravating others

If a child is aggressive towards others, try to make them understand how their behavior can make others feel. If they continue to ignore this, try showing them how it feels to be on the receiving end. For example, you could arrange a silent family time to help the child empathize with how others feel when ignored.

7. Attacks verbally

How to handle an angry, aggressive child who verbally attacks others? It's important to recognize that child abuse often stems from parents' use of foul language. It's hypocritical to scold a child for repeating your own words. If you notice verbal aggression, such as swearing, avoid reacting to it. This shows the child that this behavior won't achieve their desired result. At the same time, it's crucial to control your own speech and behavior to set a good example for the child.

How to help a child with aggressive behavior? It's essential to understand that it's a weakness that they may not recognize. As a parent or caretaker, your role is to understand the problem, offer help, and protect the child. Let's work together to find solutions.