Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
http://www.trends.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.47626/2237-6089-2026-1341
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Original Article

Clustering of Aggressive Behaviors and Physical Activity Among Brazilian Adolescents

Camilo L. M. Lourenço, Thiago M. Fidalgo, Jorge Mota, Deborah C. Malta

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Abstract

Objective
To evaluate whether bullying, physical aggression, and peer rejection cluster among Brazilian adolescent students and whether aggressive-behavior cluster pairs are associated with leisure-time physical activity according to sex.

Methods
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from PeNSE 2019, including 157,921 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. Bullying, physical aggression, and rejection in the previous 30 days were dichotomized as present or absent. Clustering was assessed using observed/expected ratios (O/E) and 99% confidence intervals. Logistic regression models estimated associations between aggressive-behavior cluster pairs and sufficient leisure-time physical activity, defined as ≥300 min/week.

Results
Bullying, physical aggression, and rejection were reported by 39.41%, 14.60%, and 26.69% of adolescents, respectively. The simultaneous occurrence of all three behaviors exceeded expectation in the overall sample (O/E = 127.69), boys (O/E = 122.05), and girls (O/E = 170.23). In boys, physical aggression plus rejection was associated with lower odds of sufficient leisure-time physical activity (aOR = 0.99, 99%CI: 0.97-0.99). In girls, physical aggression plus rejection (aOR = 0.88, 99%CI: 0.86-0.89), bullying plus rejection (aOR = 0.97, 99%CI: 0.96-0.98), and bullying plus physical aggression (aOR = 0.98, 99%CI: 0.97-0.99) were associated with lower odds of sufficient leisure-time physical activity.

Conclusion
Aggressive behaviors clustered among Brazilian adolescents and were associated with leisure-time physical activity, particularly among girls. Because this study was cross-sectional and several effect sizes were small, findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects.
 

Keywords

Cluster analysis; motor activity; violence; adolescent health

Submitted date:
03/07/2026

Accepted date:
06/01/2026

6a231016a9539502bc6d2382 trends Articles
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Trends Psychiatry Psychother

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