Evaluation of Aggressive Behavior among Preschool Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: The present study aims to: (1) evaluate aggressive behavioral signs among sample of preschool children. (2) find out the relationships between aggressive behavior signs and some of socio-demographic variables for those preschooler and their parents. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study that carried out from November, 2013 to May, 2014. The study has been conducted in six kindergartens selected purposively in Baghdad, three governmental and three nongovernmental kindergarten distributed on both sides of Baghdad; Al-Kharh sector and Al-Rusafa sector. The sample of the study include 104 preschooler which are selected purposively (non-probability sample). The self-administrative questionnaire (supervisor's version) is adopted and modified as an instrument of this study. The questionnaire is consists of two parts: the first part is contain the covering letter and socio-demographic characteristics of preschoolers and their parents; the second part is contain the items of aggressive behavior which includes three domains. Each domain is consists of twelve items. The questionnaire of the study was translated into English and back translated into Arabic. For the clarity and adequacy of the questionnaire, it has been distributed to a panel of experts after modification in order to achieve the content validity of the questionnaire. The data are collected through the utilization of the self administrative questionnaire (supervisor's version), the filling time takes approximately 15-30 minutes for each preschooler. The data are analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0. The analysis of data were employed by application of descriptive and inferential statistical approaches which were performed through the computation of the following: frequencies, percentages, mean of score, standard deviation, and chi-square. Results: The results of the study reveal that more than half of preschooler were male and the majority of parents are living in a normal marital relationship with sufficient monthly income who are resident in popular district with family consisted of six or more member and living in an owned house. The preschooler showing moderate levels of aggressive behavior in all domain of the aggressive behavior scale. There is significant relationship between parent's marital relationship and aggressive behavior at all domains of scale. There is significant relationships between self-directed aggressive behavior and residence, and between other-directed aggressive behavior and housing type. Conclusions: Preschoolers are showing moderate aggressive behavior regarding self, others and properties. Aggressive behavior among preschoolers influenced by social relationship of their parents and the nature of residence and housing. Recommendations: (1) Providing an educational programs by The Ministry of Education in school and community that can reduce aggressive behavior among children. (2) It is necessary to restrict and control the media in order to reduce the programs that contain violence. (3) Replication of the study with large sample and with more variables.