title: The early childhood aggression curve: development of physical aggression in 10- to 50-month-old children.
abstract: This study examines the prevalence, stability, and development of physical aggression, as reported by mothers and fathers, in a sample of children initially recruited at 12, 24, and 36 months (N=2,253) and in a subsample followed up 1 year later (n=271) in a cross-sequential design. Physical aggression occurred in 12-month-olds, but significantly more often in 24- and 36-month-olds. The rates of physically aggressive behaviors increased in the 2nd year of life, and declined from the 3rd birthday onward. Stabilities were moderate for 12-month-olds and high for 24- and 36-month-olds. At the ages of 24 and 36 months, boys were more aggressive than girls. The results confirm and extend R.E. Tremblay's (2004) hypothesis about the early development of physical aggression.
authors.affiliation: Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lenneke R A
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Alink
authors.forename: Judi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mesman
authors.forename: Jantien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Zeijl
authors.forename: Mirjam N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Stolk
authors.forename: Femmie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Juffer
authors.forename: Hans M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Koot
authors.forename: Marian J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bakermans-Kranenburg
authors.forename: Marinus H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: van Ijzendoorn
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors