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Are children who steal different from those who are aggressive?

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Abstract

Data on 2181 children referred to a child psychiatry service were analyzed to determine if there were specific correlates for aggressive behavior and for stealing behavior. Compared with stealers, aggressive children tended to be younger and more immature males, and to come from stressed families with a history of mental illness. These findings support the notion that there are biological and reactive components to aggression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Adelaide Children's Hospital, 5006, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Elizabeth Heath MB, BS & Robert Kosky BSc, MD

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Heath MB, BS
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  2. Robert Kosky BSc, MD
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The study was supported by a grant from the Research Board, Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

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Heath, E., Kosky, R. Are children who steal different from those who are aggressive?. Child Psych Hum Dev 23, 9–18 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00706696

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00706696

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