[Epidemiological indicators and correlations of adolescent aggression in an urban student population].

Adolescent aggression has received a wide and longtime attention in scientific research, because of the extent of the phenomenon in this age group and of the negative consequences it inflicts on affected adolescents, and their human environments. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the proportion (of high levels) of aggressive behaviors (physical, verbal, and direct aggression, anger, and hostility) in an urban sample of adolescent students, as well as to investigate associations between the occurrence of these behaviors, and adolescents' characteristics and mental health problems. The sample consisted of 2050 students attending the second grade of 49 random selected High Schools and Senior High Schools of the Regional Unit of the Central Sector of Attica and Piraeus. The Buss- Perry Aggression Questionnaire was administered to measure participants' aggression behaviors, while the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire was also used to estimate their mental health and behavioral difficulties. Information about adolescents' individual, family, and school characteristics, was also collected. Results of the statistical analysis showed that the occurrence rates of high levels of participants' aggressive behaviors ranged between 2.2 (for total aggression) and 10.5% (for anger). Among individual characteristics, gender (with boys predominating in physical and direct aggression and girls in anger), (older) age, and sports activity (to direct aggression) were related to participants' aggressive behaviors. On the other hand, non-intact family structure and household insecurity food intake were positive correlated with specific aggressive behaviors, while pocket money allowance was positive associated with all of them. Concerning participants' mental health and behavioral issues, conduct problems and hyperactivity/ inattention were positive correlated with all investigated aggressive behaviors. In conclusion, the vast majority of the Central Sector of Attica and Piraeus adolescents did not seem to show high levels of aggressive behaviors (except anger). Nevertheless, considering this study outcomes (such as the "aggressive" burden of older adolescents, the role of family structure and pocket money allowance, as well as the co-occurrence with mental and behavioral problems), further longitudinal study is required to better understand the mechanisms that facilitate adolescent aggression.

Psychiatric education: a survey of Greek trainee psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVE: This survey investigates psychiatric trainees' attitudes regarding specific educational fields, in order to detect possible divergence from the priorities specified by the European Board of Psychiatry (EBP). It also explores certain factors which influence these attitudes. METHOD: A structured questionnaire containing 80 randomized educational objectives, which corresponded to 18 basic areas of psychiatric knowledge and competence, was given to 60 psychiatric trainees in 12 psychiatric training institutions in Greece. For the analysis of data, we used descriptive statistics, correlations, and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Despite the variance which existed, the majority of trainees considered nearly all the fields in question as essential for their training, with great priority given to psychopharmacology and biological psychiatry by 91.7% and 91.4% of the trainees, respectively. On the other hand, we found that stage of training, gender, training centre and medical school of graduation played an important role in the formation of the trainees' priorities. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation of trainees' attitudes towards educational fields in psychiatry can be very useful in the development of a training plan, and at the same time constitute a valuable index for monitoring the responsiveness of training programmes to the European guidelines for psychiatric training.