Profiles and correlates of aggressive behaviour among adults with intellectual disabilities

Background Despite the heterogeneity in aggressive behaviours observed among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), little attention has been paid to the identification of typologies of aggression among individuals with mild or moderate ID and their associated factors. Objective The goal of the present study was to identify profiles of aggressive behaviour and their psychosocial correlates. Method In this cross-sectional study of 296 adults with mild or moderate ID, information was gathered through interviews with the ID participants, their case manager and a significant other. Client files were also reviewed. Results Multiple correspondence analysis followed by hierarchical cluster analysis generated six distinct profiles of aggressive behaviour in this sample. The 'violent' group clearly stood out as lacking social and vocational involvement, having more severe mental health problems, high levels of impulsivity and antisocial tendencies compared with all other groups. Discussion The identification of distinct profiles of aggressive behaviour offers new possibilities for studying risk factors and eventually targeting specific risk prevention strategies.