The Cycle of Violence: Associations Between Exposure to Violence, Trauma-Related Symptoms and Aggression-Findings from Congolese Refugees in Uganda

War-related trauma exposure has been linked to aggression and enhanced levels of community and family violence, suggesting a cycle of violence. Reactive aggression-an aggressive reaction to a perceived threat-has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In contrast, appetitive aggression-a hedonic, intrinsically motivated form of aggression-seems to be negatively related to PTSD in offender and military populations. This study examined the associations between exposure to violence, trauma-related symptoms and aggression in a civilian population. In semistructured interviews, 290 Congolese refugees were questioned about trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and aggression. War-related trauma exposure correlated positively with exposure to family and community violence in the past month (r =31, p <.001), and appetitive (r =18, p =002) and reactive aggression (r =29, p <.001). The relationship between war-related trauma exposure and reactive aggressive behavior was mediated by PTSD symptoms and appetitive aggression. In a multiple sequential regression analysis, trauma exposure (β =43, p <.001) and reactive aggression (β =36, p <.001) were positively associated with PTSD symptoms, whereas appetitive aggression was negatively associated (β = -13, p =007) with PTSD symptoms. Our findings were congruent with the cycle of violence hypothesis and indicate a differential relation between distinct subtypes of aggression and PTSD.