Aggressive Behavior and Psychosocial Adjustment among Port Said University Adolescent Students

Abstract

Background: Globally, aggressive behavior has become a major problem with a variety of multidimensional serious consequences. It causes varying extent of impairment to the social, emotional, and psychological adjustment of adolescents. Aim: This study intended to explore the correlation between aggressive behavior and psychosocial adjustment among Port Said university adolescent students. Subjects and Method: Design: A descriptive correlational research design was employed. Subjects: The study subjects comprised a sample of 509 adolescent students enrolled in the first grade at faculties affiliated to Port Said University in Port Said Governorate during academic year 2019-2020. Tools: Instruments of data collection: Two tools were utilized to collect data, which were Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and Psycho-Social Adjustment Scale, in addition to personal characteristics of the studied adolescent students. Results: Four fifths of the studied adolescent students had a high level of aggression. The vast majority the studied students had a mild level of psychosocial adjustment, while the rest of them had a moderate level. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant negative correlation between overall aggression and overall psychosocial adjustment among the studied university adolescent students at p ≤ 0.05. Recommendations: Designing and applying multimedia intervention programs for students regarding training in coping strategies, stress-control techniques, cognitive restructuring and problem-solving techniques, that may help to cope with stressful life events in an adaptive way and without having to use aggression to solve problems or conflicts. Moreover, Faculties should develop student orientation programs, and seminar sessions for the inclusion of formal and informal training on aggressive behavior.