An Investigation of Violent and Nonviolent Adolescents' Family Functioning, Problems Concerning Family Members, Anger and Anger Expression.

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to (a) investigate the families of violent and nonviolent adolescents in terms of family functioning, and expression, and (b) compare incidence of psychological problems, alcohol usage and delinquent behaviors. The sample consisted of families of both violent (n=54) and nonviolent adolescents (n=54) whose age range was between 14 and 18 years. In order to investigate the levels and expressions the State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS) was used. Additionally, the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) was used to investigate families' functions. The data about the problems concerning family members such as alcohol use of family members, having psychological problems and criminal behaviors were collected via 'Personal Information Form' prepared by the researcher. In accordance with the purpose of the study, data were analyzed with t test and chi-square test. Results showed that families of violent adolescents had more deficits and conflicts in problem-solving, communication, role assignment, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, behavior and general functioning when compared to the families of nonviolent adolescents. When analyzed in terms of families of violent adolescents scored significantly higher on trait anger, anger-in and anger-out when compared to the families of nonviolent adolescents. Families of nonviolent adolescents had more anger control than the other group. Families in the violent group reported more problem behaviors, more use of alcohol and more delinquent behaviors than group. Key Words Adolescence, Violence, Family Functioning, Anger, Anger Expression Styles. The acts of violence have been dramatically increased especially among young people in schools, which has been accepted as a universal problem (Alikasifoglu, Ercan, Erginoz, Uysal & Kaymak, 2004; Kepenkci & Cinkir, 2005; Rosenberg Powell & Hammond, 1997; U.S. Department of Education, 2007; Wike & Fraser, 2009; Yell & Rozaski, 2000). In the west, violence among adolescents has increa sed since the 1980s (Riner & Saywell, 2002). In the USA, 130.000 adolescents whose ages range from 10 to 17 years were arrested in 1991 due to crimes such as rape, robbery, and murder. In the light of this data, it can be said that there has been % 48 increase in the crime rate since 1986 (Lerner, 1995). Every year, three million people commit crimes in schools (Yell & Rozalski, 2000). 25000 people die from murder and 31.000 people die from suicide and violence which is the second highest cause of death among adolescents (Rosenberg, Powell & Hammond, 1997). According Yell and Rozaski (2000), % 41 percent of teachers in public schools believe that violence is a serious problem in schools. We come up with similar findings in our country. According to Kepenkci and Cinkir (2005), 35.5% of high school students attempt violence at least once in a single academic year. Alikasifoglu and others (2004) investigated the prevalence of violent behaviors among high school students in istanbul. They found that % 42 of students (n=1720) involved in a fight at least once in the last year. In a study by Turkish Grand National Assembly Rese arch Commission (2007), the rate of violent behaviors in secondary education in the last one month and three months was analyzed. According to the findings of this research, 18.9% of adolescents encounter with violence in the last three months and 14.4 of adolescents encounter with violence in the last month. When the rate of adolescents who attempt violent behavior was analyzed, it was found that 29.3 % of adolescents attempted violence in the last three months and 25% of them attempted violence in the last month. The study by Ministry of Education (2003) associated the aggressive and violent behavior among adolescents with the crime rates in the forensic records. It was found that the crime rate of boys in the forensic records is % 28. …