Psychologist Sushkova called the causes of teenage aggression

“The advent of the Internet also plays a negative role”

June 5 in Moscow, one teenager set fire to another. A criminal case has been initiated under the article “Attempted murder”. On May 23, in the Volgograd region, a graduate almost stabbed his classmate to death… Such incidents happen regularly. “MK” talked with a member of the association of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapists Tatyana Sushkova, which is connected with the aggression of teenagers.

– Tatyana, lately we often hear about teenage aggression. Kids get caught up in crime news every now and then. Has it started now, or has it always been like this, but just because of the lack of internet, we have not heard about all the cases?

– It cannot be said that teenage aggression has appeared only now and there was no such phenomenon before. But, of course, it is affected by the level of stress, the negativity that children receive. The emergence of the Internet also plays a role: children receive a lot of different information that their psyche is not able to withstand.

– Where does the aggression come from?

– In human life from time to time there are big hormonal changes. The psyche becomes more reactive, inhibition processes slow down. In this regard, mood swings with manifestations of sharp aggression are possible. Adolescents turn on the so-called black-and-white filter, when everything is either good or everything is bad. Any incident seems to be the end of the world, so the level of adolescent aggression is quite high. The situation in the immediate environment also influences – relationships in the family, relationships at school. For example, if the parents themselves are quite aggressive and the child sees that this is the norm, that it is also possible to behave this way. That is, he sees those models of behavior, those ways of solving the situation that arises for him. And if he has such convictions that it is by brute force that something can be achieved, he will apply such a model.

– If we talk about the case in the Volgograd school, can we say that the teenager was “brought” by the preparation for the exam?

– Hardly. The general stress from exams, of course, leaves its mark, but to a greater extent in adolescents, the leading activity is still relationships with peers. Therefore, in this situation, most likely, the factor was some kind of resentment, relationships either with a particular girl or with peers.

– Is it possible to recognize children’s aggression?

– There are tests, questionnaires that show the scale of aggression. But it is impossible to predict and give an absolute guarantee that this particular person will behave aggressively. Of course, it is worth watching teenagers, noticing any changes that are not characteristic of a child. You need to talk with the child, convey that any problem has a solution, show that you are on his side. Children often face bullying at school. Any phrase thrown at this age can cause a rather sharp emotional reaction. Teenagers are very vulnerable and not self-confident, therefore, they painfully perceive any criticism. Of course, it is worth communicating with them openly and trying to delicately explain many things.