Development of social problem-solving strategies and changes in aggressivebehavior: A 7-year follow-up from childhood to late adolescence

The aim of this study was to predict a stability of aggressive behavior on the basis of social problem-solving strategies. Subjects were a total of 12 0 children, but complete follow-up data were available only in 47 cases. Th eir aggressive behaviors were peer rated, and problem-solving strategies we re assessed in childhood subjects being 10 years on average, and 7 years la ter. Association between a development of social strategies and changes in aggressive behavior was studied with personality-oriented pattern analyses. The main finding was that a development of strategies predicted a stabilit y or changes of aggressive behavior very well. Aggressive strategies, both in childhood and in adolescence, as well as a lack of constructive alternat ives characterized permanently aggressive subjects. Turning from nonaggress ive to aggressive behavior was also explained by aggressive problem-solving strategies, while a positive development, i.e., turning from childhood agg ressive to adolescent nonaggressive behavior, was possible only if a person had never used aggressive strategies. Agreement between behavior and strat egies was higher among girls. The findings supported a claim that intervent ion of aggressive behavior may be possible by modifying social strategies. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.