The term acting out is often used to refer to aggressive or socially undesirable behavior displayed by children or adults. Some mental health professionals see such behavior as an outward manifestation of internal (intrapsychic) conflict. According to psychodynamic theory, individuals may act out feelings that, because of their highly sensitive emotional content, are difficult to discuss directly. In some cases, these feelings may be unconscious.

Psychodynamic theorists and practitioners often attribute the abusive behavior exhibited by parents to the expression of repressed or unconscious feelings. Abusive behavior directed toward a child may be traced to internal conflicts that have little direct connection with the child. Based on this theoretical model, treatment of abusers focuses on helping the patient to become aware of internal conflicts and to address these problems in a more effective and socially acceptable manner.

Acting out may partially explain the behavior of abusers. When displayed by a child, however, it may help to identify him or her as a possible victim of abuse. Though antisocial behavior is a feature of normal child development some behaviors are associated with maltreatment.

Sexually abused children may display sexual knowledge and aggressiveness beyond that expected for their age. Conversely, some child victims may display fear and/or aggression toward all males. Behaviors that have no apparent rational basis may lead the trained child protection worker to question the child further.

In adolescents, running away from home and sexual promiscuity are often connected to abuse. Studies of runaways show a high incidence of incest and other forms of abuse.

Physically abused children sometimes display extreme aggression toward other children. This behavior may be seen as an attempt by the child to gain control over his or her life. A child, defenseless against physical attacks by an adult, may become abusive toward other children as a way of acting out aggressive feelings that cannot be expressed safely in the presence of the abuser.

Most child development experts agree that a certain amount of acting out is to be expected of children. These experts caution, however, that such behavior should be examined closely when it is persistent and extreme.

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