Covert aggression has been debated by past research as being both a normal part of development and also a warning sign of child abuse and neglect. To what extent is covert aggression considered normal and to what extent is it considered abnormal? 

Covert Aggression as Normal?

Children can express overt and covert aggression. Aggression that is expressed directly is often in the form of yelling, screaming, tantrums, and hitting, and more covert aggression is passive-aggressive and is less dramatic or disruptive. 

Skidmore College

- Aversion to physical touch
- Anger/aggressive behavior
- Problems with control
- Underdeveloped conscience 
- Difficulty with affection/attention

Symptoms of Attachment Disorder

Behavioural consequences of child abuse. (2013). Canadian Family Physician, 59, 831–836.

Behavioural consequences of child abuse

Children who have developed attachment disorder view physical touch as threatening, resulting in the child flinching away and eliciting a negative verbal reaction such as sounds of pain (saying ‘ouch’ or making another noise) or sounds of discomfort (laughter, whining).

Attachment Disorder: Aversion to Physical Touch 

Attachment Disorder: Anger/aggressive behavior

Children are defiant, disobedient, disagreeable, and argumentative to feel in control. 

Attachment Disorder: Control problems

Children may show an underdeveloped conscience by not expressing guilt, remorse, or improvement after doing something immoral/bad. 

Attachment Disorder: Underdeveloped conscience 

Children may express little to no interest in expressing or receiving affection from parents or direct caretakers but will, however, act affectionately with strangers and sometimes express that affection in inappropriate ways. 

Learn Before

Related

Learn After