A severe trauma or being prolonged or repeatedly exposed to traumatic events can constitute a violation of sense of safety and belief in the world as a safe place. Therefore, children and adolescents can show aggressive, defiant behavior.
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Aggressive behavior
- Â Some children and adolescents bully, threaten, or hit other children.
- Sometimes children and adolescents force other children into sexual activities.
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Serious violation of rules
- Â Sometimes, children and adolescents defy parental prohibitions and rules (for example, staying out at night) and repeatedly run away from home, or skip school at a young age.
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Destruction of property
- Sometimes children and adolescents deliberately engage in fire setting or destroy other’s property.
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Lying or theft
- It may also happen that children and adolescents lie for personal gain (receiving items or favors) or to avoid obligations.
- Sometimes, children and adolescents steal things of nontrivial value.
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Defiant behavior
- Children and adolescents are often very sensitive, feel quickly annoyed by others and then lose their nerves. They argue and are defiant.
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Tips
- As parents, agree on rules and prohibitions and enforce them consistently. Be a team in front of your child.
- Ensure your child’s attention when pronouncing rules or prohibitions. Don’t allow distractions like video games or the use of a smartphone when giving instructions.
- Arrange a sign with your child when they notice that aggression arises. Agree on what to do when it happens (e.g. leaving the situation/ room for a short amount of time to calm down).
- Together with your child, think of strategies for reducing aggression (e.g. boxing in a pillow or punching bag).
- Praise and reward positive behaviors.
- Make sure that your child regularly do physical exercise (e.g. by doing sport or activities together).