The sources of violence
Aggressive children often turn into violent adults, according to research from Concordia University that monitored local kids from grade 1 through to adulthood. The decades-long study project proves that childhood aggression is directly linked to drug abuse, anti-social behaviour, increased crime rates, and conjugal and family violence later in life.
These findings could have a profound impact for future generations. “Our research will mean a lot to parents of children who exhibit signs of aggression,” says Claude Senneville, Research Coordinator with Concordia’s Department of Psychology. “Through careful counselling and behavioural monitoring, these kids might be able to shake their aggressive tendencies. If they manage that early in life, they’ll have a far better chance to grow into adults whose lives aren’t marked by domestic abuse, drug use and crime.”
The research is part of the Concordia Longitudinal Risk Project, an ongoing study of children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods who were recruited in Grades 1, 4 and 7. When the study began in 1976, researchers closely measured levels of aggression and social withdrawal in their young subjects. Through the intervening years, the research team closely monitored participants’ mental and emotional progress and growth through adolescence, young adulthood and now, parenthood.
While the study has touched on many different behavioural traits within its subjects, Senneville sees the progress of childhood aggression into adult violence as particularly troubling – yet potentially uplifting. “The fact that we now have conclusive proof that aggression makes its mark across so many aspects of life gives me hope that we can start to address this problem earlier on in life,” he said. “Delinquency, behavioural problems, depression, domestic violence and crime, should be seen as symptoms of a type of disease – aggression – that we can potentially cure if we catch it in its nascent stage.”
Senneville will present these findings on November 1, when members of Concordia’s Centre for Research on Human Development partner with local organization Pro-Gam to deliver a day of talks surrounding the topic of conjugal and family violence.
Senneville says he is delighted to partner with Pro-Gam to ensure the research will benefit those who need it. As an intervention and research centre founded around the theme of conjugal and family violence, Pro-Gam is working locally to prevent conjugal violence by intervening with abusive men, developing awareness and prevention activities for the general population, and by engaging in research and training activities such as this one.
Coming to the community: Claude Senneville will present these research findings during a conference in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Pro-Gam. He will be joined by researchers from other universities and centres for a full day of talks and discussions on how research can best lead to preventative solutions. The conference takes place on November 1, 2012, and is open to the public. For more information and to register, visit the PRO-GAM website.
Related links:
• Concordia University Department of Psychology
• Centre for Research in Human Development
• PRO-GAM