EXPRESSIVE COMMUNICATIVE ABILITY, SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL-ILLNESS AND AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR

The role of expressive communicative ability and level ol mental illne ss symptoms in predicting aggressive behavior was explored in 67 adult s with mental retardation. Overall rates of aggression were low with d angerous aggression more the exception than the rule. However, a subse t of aggressive behaviors appeared to exist as a continuing risk for i njury to others. Both expressive communicative ability and level of me ntal illness symptoms were strong predictors of aggressive behavior. I n combination. high mental health symptoms and low expressive communic ative ability were associated with the greatest prevalence of aggressi on. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.