Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey

Background of the  Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey:


Aggressive behavior has both genetic and environmental components. Many association studies have been performed to identify genetic factors underlying aggressive behaviors in humans. In this review we summarize the previous work performed in this field, considering both candidate gene (CGAS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), excluding those performed in samples where the primary diagnosis is a psychiatric or neurological disorder other than an aggression-related phenotype. Subsequently, we have studied the enrichment of pathways and functions in GWAS data. The results of our searches show that most CGAS have identified associations with genes involved in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission and in hormone regulation. On the other hand, GWAS have not yet identified genome-wide significant associations, but top nominal findings are related to several signaling pathways, such as axon guidance or estrogen receptor signaling, and also to neurodevelopmental processes and synaptic plasticity. Future studies should use larger samples, homogeneous phenotypes and standardized measurements to identify genes that underlie aggressive behaviors in humans. These items measure self-reported recency of aggressive and other high risk behaviors. Respondents are asked to indicate the last time they engaged in the following behaviors

Items of the Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey:


When was the last time you …
1. Pushed‚ grabbed‚ or shoved someone?
2. Hit or punched someone?
3. Kicked someone?
4. Were hurt in a fight?
5. Hurt someone else in a fight?
6. Threatened to hurt someone?
7. Threatened someone with a knife or gun?
8. Used a knife or gun to injure someone?
9. Watched a fight?
10. Carried a gun?
11. Carried a knife?
12. Needed medical care for an intentionally caused injury (such as being punched‚ pushed‚ attacked‚ or shot)?

Psychometric properties of the Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey:


 
These Measures self-reported recency of aggressive and other high risk behaviors.
  
·         Risk behaviors
·         Delinquency and Antisocial Behavior
 
This instrument can be found on pages 179-180 of Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes‚ Behaviors‚ and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools‚ available online at:http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf .
Males aged 12-16.
 
■ Within the past month ■ Between 1 and 6 months ago ■ Between 6 months and 1 year ago ■ Over 1 year ago ■ Never
Items can be considered separately or as an index of violence-related behavior within a given time period. To cr‎eate an index for past-year violent or violence-related behavior‚ a point should be given for each item with a check in one of the first three response categories‚ thus creating a possible range of 1-12.

References of the Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey:


 

Straus MA; Hamby SL; Boney McCoy S; Sugerman DB; Flewelling RL; Paschall MJ; Ringwalt CL (1979‚ 1993). Pg.143‚ 160-161

Flewelling RL‚ Paschall MJ‚ Ringwalt CL. SAGE Baseline Survey. Research Triangle Park‚ NC:Research Triangle Institute‚ 1993.

 
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