Differences in aggressive behaviour between boys and girls with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Results of numerous studies indicate that there is a clear and consistent relationship between gander and aggressive behaviour in the general population. However, findings on sex differences in aggressive behaviour of the persons with intellectual disabilities are mixed across the studies. The objective of this research was to determine gender differences in aggressive behaviour of the children with mild, moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. The sample consisted of 190 participants of both sexes, aged from 6 to 11. The data were collected from kindergarten and school teachers using the TRF/6-18 Scale of aggressive behaviour. Various forms of aggressive behaviour manifest 89% of the children with intellectual disabilities, while 22.63% of them show clinically significant level of the aggression. Significant gender differences in the number and forms of aggressive behaviour as well as in the TRF/6-18 Scale total score were found. Representation of boys and girls with clinically significant level of aggression is almost equal. Our findings are discussed in the comparison to other authors. Recommendations for future research and practice are based on the research results.

Rezultati brojnih istraživanja ukazuju na to da postoji jasna i konzistentna veza između pola i agresivnog ponašanja u opštoj populaciji. Međutim, nalazi o polnim razlikama u agresivnom ponašanju osoba sa intelektualnom ometenošću nisu saglasni. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrđivanje polnih razlika u agresivnom ponašanju dece sa lakom, umerenom i teškom intelektualnom ometenošću. Za uzorak od 190 dečaka i devojčica, uzrasta 6-11 godina, prikupljeni su podaci od vaspitača ili nastavnika primenom TRF/6-18 Skale agresivnog ponašanja. Agresivno ponašanje ispoljava 89% dece sa intelektualnom ometenošću, a kod 22,63% zabeležen je klinički značajan nivo agresije. Otkrivene su statistički značajne polne razlike u broju i vrsti ispoljenih oblika agresivnog ponašanja, kao i u ukupnom skoru na TRF/6-18 Skali agresivnog ponašanja. Zastupljenost dečaka i devojčica sa klinički značajnim nivoom agresije je ujednačena. Nalazi istraživanja su prodiskutovani kompariranjem sa rezultatima drugih autora. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata date su preporuke za buduća istraživanja i praksu.