This study attempted to investigate the influence of frustration tolerance on the coping strategies of boys with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD). The participants were recruited in regular and...Show moreThis study attempted to investigate the influence of frustration tolerance on the coping strategies of boys with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD). The participants were recruited in regular and special primary schools in the Netherlands. Forty-one children with DBD were compared with a control group of thirty-eight children. The frustration tolerance is measured by using the 'Amsterdamse Neuropsychologische Taken; Delay Frustration' (ANT-DF). The coping strategy is measured by using questionnaires. To determine the emotion regulation, the 'Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire' (CERQ) is used. The coping strategies are analyzed by using the 'Behavioral Anger Response Questionnaire' (BARQ). Results show that boys with DBD do not differ in frustration tolerance compare to the control group. The effect of negative feedback results in more frustration for both groups. There is a difference between the DBD and control group in using the strategies 'avoidance' and 'diffusion'. Boys with DBD use less often these strategies compared with the control group. In addition, they do not avoid the stress situation but seek more often confrontation. Also, they focus on their anger. The DBD group is split into boys with a low frustration tolerance and boys with a high frustration tolerance because there was no difference between the DBD group and the control group. Of all strategies, DBD boys with a low frustration tolerance only use less often an avoidance coping strategy compared with the control group. Based on this study, it can be concluded that boys with DBD use other coping strategies compared with the control group. Specially boys with a low frustration tolerance, avoid stress situations less often and seek confrontation.Show less
Verschillende wetenschappelijke studies tonen een relatie aan tussen zwakke taalvaardigheden en verhoogd agressief gedrag. Er is echter nog geen onderzoek gedaan naar het niveau van taalvaardigheid...Show moreVerschillende wetenschappelijke studies tonen een relatie aan tussen zwakke taalvaardigheden en verhoogd agressief gedrag. Er is echter nog geen onderzoek gedaan naar het niveau van taalvaardigheid van jongens in de leeftijd van acht tot en met twaalf jaar met een disruptieve gedragsstoornis (DG). Dit onderzoek analyseert of jongens met DG verbaal zwakker zijn dan jongens zonder DG en daarom baat zouden hebben bij taalinterventies om hun probleemgedrag te verminderen. Zowel de DG-groep als de controlegroep bestond uit 34 jongens. Zij waren tussen de acht en twaalf jaar oud. Het agressieniveau in beide groepen werd gecontroleerd met de subschaal 'Agressief gedrag' van de Child Behavior Checklist 6-18. Verder werden de subtests 'Begrippen en aanwijzingen volgen', 'Zinnen formuleren' en 'Woordassociaties' van de Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 4-NL gebruikt om respectievelijk taalbegrip, taalproductie en verbale vloeiendheid te meten. De subtest ‘Woordkennis’ van de Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III-NL werd gebruikt om woordenschat te meten. De resultaten toonden geen verschil in niveau van taalbegrip, taalproductie, verbale vloeiendheid en woordenschat tussen de jongens met DG en zonder DG. Er is dus geen verband gevonden tussen taal en agressie. Wellicht waren er mediërende of modererende factoren die de resultaten hebben beïnvloed. Limitaties van deze studie waren dat de participanten alleen Noord- en Zuid- Holland vertegenwoordigden, de steekproeven klein waren, de ouders in de controlegroep hoger opgeleid waren, de leeftijdscategorie beperkt was en bijna de helft van de kinderen met DG in een eenoudergezin woonde.Show less
Background: High levels of aggressive behavior are associated with a low resting heart rate in boys. However, differences in underlying mechanisms, e.g. arousal levels, might exist between boys...Show moreBackground: High levels of aggressive behavior are associated with a low resting heart rate in boys. However, differences in underlying mechanisms, e.g. arousal levels, might exist between boys with disruptive behavior disorders, which might have implications for intervention programs to prevent aggressive behavior to develop further into adulthood. Methods: The current study investigated resting heart rate (beats per minute) and skin conductance levels (μS ) in boys, 8-12 years old (Mage = 9.67, SD = 1.18), with a disruptive behavior disorder (NDBD= 24, NControl = 25). Levels of anxiety and characteristics of an autism spectrum disorder were considered as co-occuring symptoms, to consider possible differences between the two groups and to infer the predictive value of these symptoms regarding arousal levels. Arousal levels in resting state were considered while the participants watched a three minute calming video of fishes. Levels of aggression, anxiety and amount of characteristics of an autism spectrum disorder were measured by questionnaires that were administered by the boys themselves (MASC) and the parents (ASEBA CBCL 6-18 and VISK). One-way analyses of variance were performed to infer possible differences between the control group and the DBD group. Moreover, multiple regression analyses were executed to consider the predictive value of the levels of the mentioned symptoms with regard to arousal levels. Results: No differences were found in arousal measures in resting state between the DBD group and the control group. However, expressing higher levels of characteristics of autism, especially not understanding social information (e.g. jokes), stereotypic behavior and anxiety for change, turned out to be partly predictive for higher levels of heart rate in the DBD group. None of the considered factors was predictive for variation in skin conductance levels in this group. Conclusions: The current findings suggest that some of the aggression seen in the DBD group could possibly origin from the lack of understanding as well as anxiety or tension with regard to social situations and is associated with somewhat higher levels of arousal instead of lower levels, as previously suggested. The tentative findings in the current study could incite to investigate in more depth the predictors of variation in levels of arousal, which could provide more information about differences between individuals with regard to underlying mechanisms of aggression.Show less
