Anxiety and Aggressive Behavior in Adolescents: Correlational Study

Background: Aggressive behavior becomes a serious behavioral problem in adolescent recently time. Some cases are considered as an emergency for mental health behavior in adolescents. There are many factors suspected of being associated with aggressive behavior, one of which is anxiety. The study aimed to identify association between adolescents’ anxiety and aggressive behavior. Methods: The research used analytical correlation design with cross sectional approach. The research was conducted in Senior High School in Surakarta. Subjects were taken using convenience sampling that the total of 626 students filled out the online questionnaire while 32 students did not complete some items resulting in the total sample of 594 respondents. The research instruments used DASS 21 for anxiety and Buss Perry Questionare for aggressive behavior. The statistical analysis used pearson product moment test.Results: The research showed that most of respondents were female (67,8%). The respondents had bullying victim history (44.8%), violence victim history (13.3%), and parental divorce history (10.3%). The statistical test showed a significant correlation between anxiety and aggressive behavior (p value 0,0001, r : 0,649, OR:7.86, CI 95%).Conclusion: The finding showed association between adolescents’ anxiety and aggressive behavior. The community mental health nurses should organized partnership mental health program with the senior high school to manage anxiety and aggressive behavior in adolescents.