Problemas externalizantes e agressividade infantil: uma revisão de estudos brasileiros

Externalizing problems and aggression can lead to difficulties adjustment and suffering during childhood and in later stages, and several factors have been related to these patterns of behavior. This article analyses the findings of Brazilian empirical studies about these issues. A bibliographical survey of complete articles published in Brazil from 2000 to 2010, in the following databases: SciELO Brazil, PePSIC, LILACS, IndexPsi and MEDLINE was conducted. The results presented in the 30 selected articles were analyzed in seven categories: parenting practices and parental social skills; family characteristics; child characteristics, especially gender; exposure to violent role models; parental intervention programs; externalizing complaints and others. The conclusion is that Brazilian studies have contributed to the identification of predictors of externalizing problems/child aggressiveness, investigating, especially factors related to infants characteristics and parenting practices.