Network structure characteristics of trait aggression in children and adolescents based on psychometric network analysis

WANG Xu; LIU Yanling; WEI Mingchen; ZHU Ni; GENG Yibo; LIU Weijun; CHEN Shuai

doi:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025199

Volume 46 Issue 7

Jul. 2025

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WANG Xu, LIU Yanling, WEI Mingchen, ZHU Ni, GENG Yibo, LIU Weijun, CHEN Shuai. Network structure characteristics of trait aggression in children and adolescents based on psychometric network analysis[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(7): 975-979. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025199

Citation:

WANG Xu, LIU Yanling, WEI Mingchen, ZHU Ni, GENG Yibo, LIU Weijun, CHEN Shuai. Network structure characteristics of trait aggression in children and adolescents based on psychometric network analysis[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(7): 975-979. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025199

Citation:

WANG Xu, LIU Yanling, WEI Mingchen, ZHU Ni, GENG Yibo, LIU Weijun, CHEN Shuai. Network structure characteristics of trait aggression in children and adolescents based on psychometric network analysis[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(7): 975-979. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025199

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Network structure characteristics of trait aggression in children and adolescents based on psychometric network analysis

doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025199

WANG Xu^{1, 2},
LIU Yanling^{1, 2
,
,},
WEI Mingchen³,
ZHU Ni⁴,
GENG Yibo^{1, 2},
LIU Weijun^{1, 2},
CHEN Shuai⁵

1.
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China

Received Date: 2024-09-04
Rev Recd Date: 2025-04-15

Available Online: 2025-08-02

Publish Date: 2025-07-25

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To explore the core features of trait aggression in children and adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical basis for behavioral interventions targeting the central psychological characteristics of aggression in children and adolescents. Methods From March to May 2020, a simple random convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 39 165 students from grades 4 to 12 in Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, and Shandong. Data were collected via online questionnaires, with all participants completing the Chinese Version of the Aggression Questionnaire. Psychometric network analysis was utilized for data processing. Results Trait aggression among Chinese children and adolescents was at a moderately low level. The core nodes of the network structure included physical aggression [if someone intentionally causes trouble for me, I will hit them severely (AGG6); if someone hits me, I will retaliate (AGG11)] and self-aggression [When I am very irritable, I think of hurting myself (AGG5); when I am in a bad mood, I engage in behaviors that harm my health, such as overeating (AGG25)]. Across grade levels, core nodes primarily originated from the anger dimension [When I'm angry, I feel like a powder magazine that could explode at any moment (AGG13); I can't control my temper (AGG18); I am prone to getting angry when I see things that are not pleasing to the eye (AGG23); I will get angry for no reason (AGG27)]. Except for grades 7 and 9, core nodes in other grades included the verbal aggression dimension [I am prone to arguments with people (AGG22)]. Before grade 8, core nodes incorporated the self-aggression dimension (AGG 5, AGG 25); after grade 8, core nodes included the physical aggression dimension [AGG 6, AGG 11, I fight slightly more than others (AGG16), and if people around me make things difficult for me to a certain extent, I will fight with them (AGG26)]. No statistically significant differences were found in the trait aggression network structures across grades, genders, or within-gender comparisons of different grades. Conclusion These findings broaden our understanding of aggression in children and adolescents, suggesting that behavioral interventions can effectively reduce aggressive behaviors in this population.
- Mental health,
- Network analysis,
- Aggression,
- Child,
- Adolescents

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References(20)

References

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