Neurobiological, Psychosocial, and Digital Behavior Perspectives of Intermittent Explosive Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Titi Pambudi Karuniawaty Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Mataram
  • Aurellia Wongso Prawiro Program Studi Pendidikan Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
  • Hadil Hudati Awwari Rameci Program Studi Pendidikan Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
  • I Gusti Ketut Artha Jaya Kusuma Program Studi Pendidikan Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
  • Nadine Aisyah Sultan Firdaus Program Studi Pendidikan Dokter, Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29303/jk.v14i3.7524

Keywords:

Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Aggression, Gadget Addiction, Adolescents, Neurobiological Factors

Abstract

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is a psychological disorder characterized by repetitive and disproportionate outbursts of anger, accompanied by verbal and physical aggression. This disorder sometimes appears in children and adolescents with gadget addiction accompanied with emotional disturbances, and negatively affects long-term emotional, social, and neurobehavioral aspect. The etiology of IED is multifactorial, including biological factors such as dysregulation of the serotonin system, dysfunction of the prefrontal-amygdala circuit, as well as genetic predisposition, which interact with environmental factors such as negative parenting, childhood trauma, and socioeconomic stress. The diagnosis of IED according to the DSM-5 emphasizes the presence of spontaneous impulsive aggressive outbursts, does not correspond to the level of provocation, and interferes with the functioning of daily life. Research also shows a significant correlation between gadget addiction and increased aggressive behavior in children and adolescents, especially when accompanied by low ego-resilience and less supportive parenting. The treatment of IEDs requires a multidisciplinary approach, with pharmacological therapies such as fluoxetine and anticonvulsants, as well as psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) proving to be effective. An in-depth understanding of the neuropsychological factors and mechanisms of IEDs is essential in designing holistic and evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-01