Associations Between Relational Aggression, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in a Child Psychiatric Inpatient Sample

Abstract

The current study examined relations between relational aggression, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation in a child clinical population. Participants included 276 children (M(age) = 9.55 years; 69% Male) who were admitted to a child psychiatric inpatient facility. Findings suggested that relational aggression was associated with depressive symptoms, which in turn was associated with suicidal ideation. The test of indirect effects suggested that depressive symptoms fully accounted for the link between relational aggression and suicidal ideation. Moreover, these relations were found when also controlling for the variance associated with overt aggression, history of abuse, and social problems. Current findings appear to suggest that relational aggression is linked to depressive symptoms, which is linked to suicidal ideation within a clinical population, and as such there may be clinical utility in assessing relational aggression.

Low plasma eicosapentaenoic acid levels are associated with elevated trait aggression and impulsivity in major depressive disorder with a history of comorbid substance use disorder

“…Since childhood abuse history (Swogger, You, Cashman-Brown, & Conner, 2011) and depression have been associated with aggression (Chen et al, 2012; Ferguson et al, 2009; Fite et al, 2011; Min et al, 2012), regression analyses were repeated in the total sample with history of childhood abuse or HDRS-17 scores added to the model as possible confounders, and interactions between history of childhood abuse or HDRS-17 scores and lnPUFA were tested. The impact of omega-3 PUFA on aggression and impulsivity in patients at risk for suicide was explored by repeating the main regression model within the MDD group only, and including history of suicide attempt as a cofactor.…”

“…One important behavioral domain, which has been studied most intensely in pediatric populations, is aggression and its co-occurrence with depression, other clinical characteristics, and environmental factors (Chen, Huang, Wang, & Chang, 2012; Ferguson, San Miguel, & Hartley, 2009; Fite, Stoppelbein, Greening, & Preddy, 2011; Min et al, 2012). However, less is known about biological factors that impact the development and expression of aggression.…”

Relational Aggression in Children With Preschool-Onset Psychiatric Disorders

“…When examined simultaneously, measures of relational aggression accounted for unique portions of variance in social, emotional and cognitive development outcomes above and beyond physical peer aggression. 18–20 While a rich body of literature has informed patterns of physical aggression in early childhood 21, 22 , the pioneering work of Crick and colleagues examining relational aggression resulted in a more comprehensive understanding of physical and social forms of aggression throughout development. 23 These findings also provided initial evidence that relational forms of peer aggression occur much earlier in development than originally thought.…”

Childhood depression: a systematic review

“…Regarding etiology and risk factors for childhood depression, nine studies tried to relate depression in children with different aspects, such as general cognitive style and interparental conflict,17 sweet preferences and analgesia,9 child maltreatment and other adverse experiences,7,13 prenatal drug exposure,11 environmental processes,14 and functional connectivity of the amygdala 15…”