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Aggression and Related Conduct Difficulties

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Handbook of Behavior Modification with the Mentally Retarded

Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((NSSB))

Abstract

It is well documented that one of the more prevalent, chronic, and socially disruptive problems among those with mental retardation is that of aggressive behavior and related difficulties of conduct. Eyman and Call (1977), for example, investigated the prevalence of maladaptive behaviors among groups of individuals with mental retardation living in institutions, in community facilities, and with their parents. They reported that 45% of the institutionalized sample, 20% of persons in community facilities, and 20% of those living with their parents threatened to or actually did engage in physical violence to other people. Evidence of the durability of aggression and related conduct difficulties is provided by Eyman, Borthwick, and Miller (1981). These researchers evaluated the changes in maladaptive behaviors (e.g., threatens or does physical damage to others, damages own or others’ property, uses profane or hostile language) over a 2-year period in groups of persons with mental retardation residing either in residential facilities or in various community placements. As is typical, the institutional group exhibited more maladaptive behaviors than did the community groups. Also, the less severe the level of mental retardation, the more severe the maladaptive behavior in the institutional group. Of most interest was the finding that “whatever maladaptive behavior was present at the time of the individual’s referral for service did not significantly change over a two-year-period for any of the subgroups of clients studied” (Eyman et al., 1981, p. 476). Further support of this observation is provided by Koller, Richardson, Katz, and McLaren (1983) who reported that 33% of individuals studied in childhood and later as young adults presented recurring aggressive conduct disorders.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Research Unit, Waisman Center on Mental Retardation and Human Development, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    William I. Gardner

  2. School Psychology Program, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18015, USA

    Christine L. Cole

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  1. William I. Gardner
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  2. Christine L. Cole
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

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Gardner, W.I., Cole, C.L. (1990). Aggression and Related Conduct Difficulties. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Handbook of Behavior Modification with the Mentally Retarded. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2501-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2501-5_9

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