BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests that reactive aggression is more strongly associated with youth internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms) than proactive aggression. Detained youth are more likely to utilize both reactive and proactive functions of aggression as well as are at greater risk for developing internalizing symptoms. However, it is unclear if the unique associations observed in community samples are evident among detained youth. Further, alexithymia, or difficulty in the identification and communication of emotions has been found to be prevalent among detained adolescents and may moderate relations between the functions of aggression and internalizing symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

Accordingly, the current study examines associations between both functions of aggression and internalizing symptoms in a sample of detained youth and investigates alexithymia as a potential moderator of these associations.

METHODS

111 detained youth (ages 11 to 17, M age = 15.50; 70% male) self-reported on their internalizing symptoms, functions of aggression, and their experience of alexithymia.

RESULTS

Findings indicated that associations between functions of aggression and internalizing symptoms among detained adolescents differ from results found in community samples. Further, results indicate that various aspects of alexithymia (i.e., difficulty describing emotions and externally oriented thinking) may play a role in the link between these functions of aggression and internalizing symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest associations between functions of aggression and internalizing symptoms in detained adolescents may differ from those found in community settings. Implications for treatment, assessment, and future directions are discussed.

中文翻译：

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被拘留青少年的被动和主动攻击与内化症状之间的关系

背景

越来越多的证据表明，与主动攻击相比，反应攻击与青少年内化症状（例如焦虑和抑郁症状）的相关性更强。被拘留的青年更有可能同时利用攻击性的反应性和主动性功能，并且更容易出现内化症状。然而，尚不清楚在社区样本中观察到的独特关联在被拘留青年中是否明显。此外，已发现述情障碍或情绪识别和交流困难在被拘留的青少年中普遍存在，并可能缓和攻击功能与内化症状之间的关系。

目标

因此，目前的研究检查了被拘留青年样本中攻击性功能和内化症状之间的关联，并调查述情障碍作为这些关联的潜在调节剂。

方法

111 名被拘留青年（11 至 17 岁，M年龄 = 15.50；70% 男性）自我报告了他们的内化症状、攻击性功能和述情障碍的经历。

结果

研究结果表明，被拘留青少年的攻击性功能与内化症状之间的关联与社区样本中的结果不同。此外，结果表明述情障碍的各个方面（即难以描述情绪和外向思维）可能在这些攻击功能和内化症状之间的联系中发挥作用。

结论

研究结果表明，被拘留青少年的攻击性功能和内化症状之间的关联可能与社区环境中的关联不同。讨论了对治疗、评估和未来方向的影响。