Abstract
This study explored the relationship between psychopathological symptoms of paranoid ideation, anxiety and depression, and aggression among adolescents. Through purposive sampling 584 adolescents from 2 private schools and 2 public schools in Anambra state were selected for the study. 300(52.2%) were males while 284(47.8%) were females. Their ages ranged from 13-17 years, with a mean age of 15.09 and standard deviation of 1.46. Psychopathological symptoms scales (6-item paranoid ideation scale, 10-item anxiety scale and 13-item depressive symptoms scale) and 6-item aggressiveness scale were used in the study. Pearson product moment correlation was used as a statistical tool to test three hypotheses in the study. The first hypothesis which stated that there will be a significant positive relationship between paranoid ideation and aggression was confirmed, r(1,584)=.31,p<.05. The second hypothesis which stated that anxiety will have a positive relationship with aggression was confirmed, r (1,584) =. 64,p<.05). Also, the third hypothesis which states that there will be a significant positive relationship between depressive symptoms and aggression was confirmed, r(1,584)=0.64,p<.05 level of significance. The need for proper mental health hygiene, and regular psychological checkup in schools was recommended.
