An analysis of the comorbidity between children's depression and aggression symptoms: self-esteem and oppositional misbehavior as mediators

Children with dysphoria symptoms have an increased risk of aggression problems. However, previous research has found that when the confounding effect of other depression characteristics, such as self-esteem and oppositional misbehavior, is taken into account, levels of aggression problems tend to be reduced to a great extent. This observation prompts questions as to the mediating effect that self-esteem and oppositional misbehavior may have on aggression problems. In this study, a sample of 1774 school children from the general population (49.7% boys), ranging in age from 7 to 12 years, was examined to test this mediating model using Structural Equation Models. Two self-reports were used to evaluate symptoms: The Children Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Physical and Verbal Aggression Scale. The results showed significant mediating effects through two paths, namely from dysphoria to physical aggression via oppositional misbehavior, and from dysphoria to verbal aggression via self-esteem and oppositional misbehavior. The mediational model was invariant by gender. For both gender, oppositional misbehavior was the strongest mediator of the relationship between aggression and depression. The implications for understanding the comorbidity of depression and aggression and the prevention of symptoms based on potential mediators are discussed.

Automated summary

Children with dysphoria symptoms are more likely to have aggression problems, but these problems can be significantly reduced when considering factors such as self-esteem and oppositional misbehavior. This study examined the mediating effect of self-esteem and oppositional misbehavior on the relationship between dysphoria and aggression in a sample of 1774 school children. The results showed that oppositional misbehavior was the strongest mediator, and the mediating model was consistent across gender.