Aggression and psychopathology in persons with severe or profound mental retardation.

We examined aggression and psychopathology in persons with severe or profound mental retardation. Most aggressive episodes were directed toward other clients, and ratings of aggression were positively correlated with self-injury, stereotypic behavior, and being ambulatory. In a linear regression analysis of psychopathological correlates, aggression was most consistently predicted by dependent personality and psychosis. To better describe the construct of aggression, we also developed an Aggression-psychopathology scale. Persons with mental retardation and aggression were more likely to be impulsive, attention-seeking, dependent, socially inadequate, and anxious. Intensive efforts to modify the psychopathological correlates of aggression may improve treatment planning and outcome.