Assaultive Behavior in Child Psychiatric Inpatients, Outpatients, and Nonpatients

Abstract One hundred and one outpatients, 6 to 12 years old, were assessed with a standard battery of measures to identify factors associated with assaultive behavior. These outpatients were compared to psychiatric inpatients and nonpatients previously studied. Frequency of assaultive threats or attempts made by outpatients (38.6%) was less than for inpatients (58.8%) but was similar to nonpatients (32.7%). Variables significantly associated with assaultive behavior in the three groups of children were recent and past aggression and recent and past general psychopathology. Other variables positively associated with assaultiveness in at least two groups of children were poor impulse control, poor reality testing, concepts of death as temporary, projection as an ego defense, and parental assaultiveness.