Aggression among Korean adolescents: A comparison between delinquents and nondelinquents

In this study family dynamics, personality, alcohol and drug abuse, coping strategies and sexual abuse in nondelinquent and delinquent adolescents were compared and a path model of aggression among Korean adolescents was constructed. Using a proportional stratified random sampling method, a sample of 2,100 Korean adolescents was assessed. Data were collected using a cross-sectional design, via anonymous, self-reporting questionnaires. Delinquent adolescents were found to have a higher incidence of dysfunctional family dynamics, greater incidence of antisocial personality, higher tendency to depression, and higher levels of aggressive impulsiveness than nondelinquent adolescents. Delinquent adolescents reported higher incidences of being sexually abused, and alcohol and drug abuse, and showed a greater tendency toward cognitive and behavioral avoidance coping strategies compared to nondelinquent adolescents. Person-related aggressive impulsiveness, antisocial personality tendency, and self-injurious aggressive impulsiveness had the largest significant total effects on aggressive behavior among Korean adolescents.