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Sex Differences in Links Between Trauma Experiences and Aggression Among Detained Youth
Bains, Jeevan Fite, Paula J.
Bains, Jeevan
Fite, Paula J.
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Abstract
Aggression among justice-involved youth is a public health concern with implications for individual and societal well-being.1,2 Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) is disproportionately high among detained youth.2,3 Various forms of trauma (e.g., economic hardship, abuse, neglect) are tied to maladaptive behaviors like aggression.3,4 PTEs elevate risk for reactive aggression (emotional responses to provocation), but few studies have explored their impact on proactive aggression (instrumental behavior).5,6 Some argue the PTE-reactive aggression link is rooted in shared ties to impulsivity.5,7 However, further research is needed to clarify how PTEs relate to aggression functions in detained youth.
The mechanisms underlying PTE-aggression associations remain unclear, though biological sex may influence PTE exposure and risk of reactive and proactive aggression. Females report more trauma than males and appear more prone to reactive aggression following trauma exposure.8,9,10 Some studies suggest males exhibit more proactive aggression, others report no clear sex differences.11,12 This inconsistency underscores the need to further evaluate sex-specific outcomes. Additionally, sex differences in the PTE-aggression link remain unexplored among detained youth. Addressing this gap is crucial for tailoring trauma-informed interventions to juvenile justice populations.
This study examined: (a) links between PTEs, proactive aggression, and reactive aggression among detained youth and (b) whether these links vary by sex. Participants were 237 detained youth (79.8% male, 45.7% White, Mage = 15.2 years) who self-reported on PTEs (Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen13) and aggression (Proactive Reactive Aggression Questionnaire6). Structural equation modeling via full information maximum likelihood estimation assessed direct effects and sex-based interactions. Demographic variables (age, race, ethnicity, facility, detainment duration) were controlled. T-tests indicated that male detainees reported fewer PTEs (M = 4.95 v 6.30, p < .05) but higher proactive aggression (M = 1.33 v 1.17, p < .05) than females. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between PTEs and sex (r = .15, p < .05), race/ethnicity (r = .17, p < .01), and reactive aggression (r = .24, p < .001). First-order effects showed that PTEs were linked to reactive aggression (B = .06, SE = .02, p < .001), while age was linked to proactive aggression (B = .07, SE = .03, p < .05). However, PTE-aggression associations did not differ by sex (ps = .200 to .976).
These findings confirm that detained youth with greater trauma exposure exhibit more reactive aggression, aligning with research on trauma-related dysregulation. Males reported fewer PTEs but more proactive aggression than females, consistent with prior findings of sex differences. The stronger link between proactive aggression and age than trauma suggests distinct developmental influences on aggression functions. Contrary to expectations and despite female detainees’ heightened vulnerability to PTEs, sex did not moderate the PTE-aggression link. These results support universal trauma-informed care in juvenile justice settings to address shared and unique risk factors.
Description
This is the poster from a presentation given at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2025 Convention held in New Orleans, LA on 11/21/2025.
Date
2025-11-21
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University of Kansas
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BainsJ_2025.pdf
Adobe PDF, 1.75 MB
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Keywords
Truama, Aggression, Detained Youth, Sex Differences