Aggressive behavior in clinically depressed adolescents

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of aggressive behavior in adolescent inpatients and outpatients with major depressive dis order (MDD). Differences between males and females in prevalence and type o f aggression, and level of parent-child agreement in report of aggression, were analyzed. Method: Participants were 74 adolescents with MDD, aged 13 t o 17 years. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders w as used to identify MDD. Adolescents' aggressive behavior was assessed usin g an adapted version of the Brown-Goodwin Assessment for Lifetime History o f Aggression; the Measure of Aggression, Violence, and Rage in Children; an d the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory-Adapted Version. Results: Results ind icate high levels of aggressive behavior in adolescents with MDD. Amount an d type of aggression did not differ by gender. Results indicate poor corres pondence between parent and adolescent reports of aggression, which was mos t marked for females. Conclusions: Aggressive behaviors are highly prevalen t in depressed youths, with similar types and levels evident in males and f emales. Parents tend to underreport and may not be cognizant of aggressive behavior that occurs outside the home, particularly for females.