Commentary: Predicting aggression in youth

Aggression in youth is common and encompasses a wide range of behaviors that vary along such dimensions as direction (toward self or others), degree of action (ideation, verbal threats, or actual assaults), degree of planning (reactive or impulsive, planned or predatory), system level (biological, psychological, or social), and seriousness of intent. Risk factors vary, depending on the range of behavior being predicted and the developmental level of the youth being assessed. The Brief Rating of Aggression by Children and Adolescents (BRACHA) shows promise for assessing the general risk of aggressiveness in a developmentally diverse child and adolescent inpatient population. Further research may show whether patterns of risk factors also have treatment and prognostic implications that will aid in working with this population.