Aggressive behavior in adolescent patients with mental disorders: what we can do.

Abstract

Background: Aggressive behavior in adolescent patients is a common phenomenon in clinical treatment and nursing care. The objective of this study was to conduct an assessment of the prevailing patterns and determinants of aggressive behavior among adolescents with mental disorders, with the intent to offer valuable insights for enhancing clinical intervention and nursing practices.

Methods: Adolescent patients with mental disorders admitted to the psychiatric department of Suzhou Guangji Hospital from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024 were included. The characteristics of patients with or without aggressive behavior were compared and evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing aggressive behavior in adolescents with mental disorders.

Results: There were 395 adolescent patients with mental disorders included in the study, with 42 patients having aggressive behavior, and the incidence of aggressive behavior in adolescent patients with mental disorders was 10.63%. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that age (r=0.459), only child (r=0.583), education level (r=0.497), pre-morbid personality (r=0.520), and history of past aggressive behavior (r=0.516) were related with the aggressive behavior in adolescent patients with mental disorders. Age [odds ratio (OR) =1.766; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.213-1.980], only child (OR =2.642; 95% CI: 2.009-2.858), education level (OR =1.823; 95% CI: 1.104-2.518), pre-morbid personality (OR =2.336; 95% CI: 1.991-2.694) and history of past aggressive behavior (OR =2.708; 95% CI: 2.357-3.102) were the influencing factors for aggressive behavior.

Conclusions: The incidence of aggressive behavior in adolescent patients with mental disorders is relatively high and influenced by a multitude of factors. The healthcare team should conduct a thorough nursing assessment to identify potential triggers and implement targeted nursing strategies to mitigate the aggressive behavior.