Social Risk Factors for Aggression Among School-Aged Children: Evidence from Lurambi Sub-County, Kenya

Aggressive behavior among children has been linked to a range of adverse outcomes including poor academic performance, peer rejection, and future antisocial behavior. Social factors such as peer influence, neighborhood environment, and societal norms play a critical role in shaping childhood aggression, yet remain underexplored in younger populations within sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective was to assess the influence of social determinants — including peer relationships, neighborhood context, and attitudes toward authority — on aggressive behaviors among primary school children in Lurambi Sub-County, Kenya. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 334 primary school children aged 6–12 years selected through multistage sampling. Structured questionnaires captured data on peer dynamics, neighborhood conditions, and perceptions of social authority. Aggressive behavior was assessed using the TOCA-R behavioral checklist. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v26 through logistic regression and chi-square tests, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative insights obtained from 20 teacher interviews. Key results were: Rejection by peers (p = 0.03) and negative attitudes toward school authority (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with aggressive behaviors. Children from disordered or unsafe neighborhoods exhibited higher aggression scores, although this was not statistically significant. Qualitative findings supported the role of peer pressure and lack of structured recreational outlets as contributing to aggression in both urban and rural school settings. In Conclusion: Social determinants, particularly peer rejection and attitudes toward school authority, were significantly associated with aggressive behavior among primary school children in Lurambi Sub-County. Targeted interventions such as peer mentorship, school-based social skills training, and safe neighborhood initiatives are essential for early prevention.