Allen, David

Background  This study was designed to test the hypothesis that carer attributions for aggressive behaviour vary according to a service user's severity of intellectual disability.

Physically aggressive behaviours pose major problems to carers supporting people with intellectual disability. This review considers the prevalence and nature of this form of challenging behaviour within this population and describes possible causal factors. Discusses the present status of both behavioural and pharmacological interventions for aggression and outlines the importance of devising reactive management plans for aggressive behaviours.