Abstract:
Background: The American Psychological Association defines aggression as a behavior aimed
at harming others physically or psychologically. Emerging adults known as individuals aged 18
to 29 are in a stage of life that involves many life transitions and usually, they struggle with
numerous physical, emotional, and social stressors that can lead to aggression.
Objective: To assess the aggressiveness among emerging adults in Colombo district
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently enrolled 353
emerging adults in Colombo district. Data were collected using a self-administered
questionnaire after doing face validity and pre-test to validate the questionnaire. Apart from the
demographic factors, aggressiveness (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and
hostility) was measured using a self-administered Buss and Perry aggression questionnaire
(PBAQ). The level of aggression was classed as severe (≥95), moderate (65-95), and low (≤65)
based on the PBAQ score (ranged 29-45). Due to the descriptive nature of the data, descriptive
analysis was carried out.
Results: Most of the participants were (60%, n=215) female with the mean±SD age of 21±3
years. The mean PBAQ score (SD) was 107.44±27.52 and 67% (n=238) reported severe
aggression, 21% moderate, and 12% low level of aggression. The mean±SD scores for anger,
physical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility subdomains were 25.85±6.64, 25.85±6.64,
19.1±5.6 and 30.81±8, respectively. Of the participants, 62% (n=219) exhibited anger, 61%
(n=216) physical aggression, 59% (n=211) verbal aggression, and 62% (n=220) hostility.
Conclusion: The majority of emerging adults exhibited severe aggression. Since continuous
aggressive behaviours are directly affecting deteriorating individuals' physical and mental
health evidence-based strategies to manage aggression are instrumental in supporting the well
being of emerging adults.
