Passive-aggressive behavior is indirect hostility rather than a direct expression of anger.
Passive aggression is a pattern or theme in communication and behavior.
This article will help you to recognize traits of passive aggression and their common causes.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
It offers ideas on how to recognize these behaviors and deal with others who express passive aggression.
A person with this personality disorder may show signs in the ways they behave and communicate.
Passive-aggressive personality disorder is sometimes referred to as negativistic personality disorder.
Examples of passive-aggressive behavior traits include:
Communication
Passive-aggressive traits can present in communication, too.
This includes the context of parenting, social configs, athletics, education, and more.
There is limited research on the issue, though some contributing factors have been identified.
It’s common for this pattern to emerge following adverse childhood experiences like abuse, trauma, or neglect.
Don’t ignore the passive aggression and don’t respond in a passive-aggressive way yourself.
Hold people accountable for their behaviors.
Recognizing Your Own Passive-Aggressive Behavior
Passive-aggressive behavior is a challenge, but there are ways to cope.
Psychotherapy, ortalk therapy, helps people overcome and cope with passive-aggressive behavior and the contributing factors.
After developing awareness, the person exhibiting this behavior can work on consciously changing it.
Summary
Passive-aggressive behavior is made up of unconscious actions and communication methods that are harmful.
This key in of behavior usually comes from negativity but may seem accidental or neutral.
Contributing factors of passive-aggressive behavior include a history of childhood neglect or trauma, low self-esteem, and stress.
It’s possible to cope with passive-aggressive behavior with talk therapy to bring awareness to the patterns of behavior.
If you are concerned about passive aggression in yourself or a loved one, talk to your healthcare provider.
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