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Parenting practices, parental attachment and aggressiveness in adolescence: a predictive model
Miriam Gallarin1, Itziar Alonso-Arbiol
1Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida de Tolosa 70, E-20018 San Sebastian, Spain. miriam.gallarin@ehu.es
Journal of Adolescence
|August 3, 2012
Summary
Adolescent attachment, particularly to fathers, mediates the link between parenting and aggression. Parenting styles influence attachment, which in turn impacts aggressive behavior in teenagers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Parenting practices significantly shape adolescent development.
- Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding interpersonal relationships.
- Adolescent aggressiveness is a complex behavior influenced by multiple factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the mediating role of adolescent attachment in the relationship between parenting practices and aggressiveness.
- To differentiate the influence of mothers and fathers on adolescent aggressiveness.
- To investigate the direct and indirect effects of parenting on aggression via attachment.
Main Methods:
- Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data.
- 554 adolescents (ages 16-19) completed self-report measures.
- Measures included parenting practices, attachment to mother/father, and aggressiveness.
Main Results:
- Parental acceptance/involvement positively predicted attachment; coercion/imposition negatively predicted it.
- Attachment fully mediated the relationship between parenting practices and aggressiveness.
- Only attachment to the father significantly predicted adolescent aggressiveness.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent attachment, especially to fathers, is crucial in understanding aggressiveness.
- The father-adolescent relationship plays a key role in mitigating aggressive behaviors.
- Interventions focusing on secure attachment may help reduce adolescent aggression.
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