Factors Associated with Aggression: A Nationwide Population- based Survey

Abstract

Recent reports have brought to our attention a growing number of incidents involving impulsive aggression among individuals. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need to investigate and address the factors contributing to aggression. Previous research has predominantly focused on aggression within specific age groups, such as children, adolescents, or college students, making it difficult to pinpoint the primary factors within each age group. The primary objective of this study is to bridge this gap by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing aggression across different age groups in physical, psychological, and social domains. This study comprehensively investigated demographic, physical, psychological, and social factors associated with aggression in the general Korean population. A national cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2021 to January 2022, and representative participants aged 18–85 years from all 17 South Korean provinces were recruited. Higher aggression was defined as the highest 10 percentiles of the aggression score measured using the Aggression Questionnaire. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression, anxiety, physical function, and pain interference were used to measure the psychological and physical traits of the participants. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify the factors associated with aggression. In total, 2,699 participants completed the survey, with a mean aggression score of 52.20. In terms of demographic factors, younger age (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 12.61; 95% CI 1.18-4.02) was associated with increased aggression. Furthermore, aggression was associated with more severe limited physical function (aPR 2.06; 95% CI 1.35-2.78), pain interference (aPR 2.24; 95% CI 1.60-2.88), and a higher level of anxiety (aPR 2.24; 95% CI 1.57-2.89). Especially when compared to those with the lowest levels of depression, participants with moderate and severe depression had a higher risk of aggression (aPR 2.01; 95% CI 1.38-2.63). In conclusion, young age, severe decline in physical function, pain interference, depression, and anxiety were identified as risk factors for aggression.