Background: The Adult Scale of Hostility and Aggression (A-SHARP) rating scale assesses the frequency/severity (problem scale) and the reactive-proactive motivation (provocation scale) of aggressive behaviors in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Items are assigned to five subscales (Verbal Aggression, Physical Aggression, Hostile Affect,…

Studies have shown that there is an association between exposure to people with intellectual disability who are aggressive and burnout in the staff who support them. Little is known, however, about the experience of summer camp staff who work with this population. This study examined the relationship between aggression and burnout in 169 staff…

This study explored administrators' attitudes about the use of physical restraint in their school settings. Administrators of day treatment and residential programs for elementary students with emotional and behavioral disorders in the Mid-Atlantic states were surveyed on their attitudes toward, and the use of, physical restraint within their…

The study found, in contrast with an earlier study done with similar children in the same program, that a group of 29 severely disturbed children, including those with preadmission histories of severe aggressive/destructive behavior, had positive outcomes from a day hospital treatment program. Programmatic changes are proposed as responsible for…

Ten disruptive children (aged seven-nine), placed in a psychiatric facility's day program, were videotaped exhibiting physically assaultive behavior during dyadic free-play interactions. The rate and duration of aggressive behavior were affected by the gender of both initiator and recipient of assaults, the context of real versus fantasy play, and…

This investigation examined the associations between maltreatment and aggression using a gender-informed approach. Peer ratings, peer nominations, and counselor reports of aggression were collected on 211 maltreated and 199 nonmaltreated inner-city youth (M age = 9.9 years) during a summer day camp. Maltreatment was associated with aggressive…

Within school environments, where bullying interventions are usually studied, the preponderance of bullying incidents generally occur in less structured settings (Hazler, 1996; Leff, Power, Costigan, & Manz, 2003; Olweus, 1997). Outside of school, children spend time in relatively unstructured community environments, with minimally trained staff.…

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the association between circadian rhythms of cortisol and physical and relational aggression. Morning arrival, prelunch, and afternoon predeparture salivary cortisol were assessed among 418 maltreated and nonmaltreated children (52% maltreated; 49% female) attending a summer day camp.…

Examines the naturally occurring social interactions of five- to eight-year-old children at a summer day camp. Children were observed in their routine camp activities, which took place in a variety of settings: some highly structured and adult-centered, some less highly regulated. (Author/MP)