Adolescent Aggression as Predicted from Parent-Child Relationships and Executive Functions

Previous research has emphasized the role of parent-child relationships (PCRs) in child and adolescent development. The present study extends the previous findings by examining the direct and mediated relationship between PCRs, executive functioning (EF), and adolescent aggression. Five hundred twelve adolescents of South Asian ethnic background, enrolled at the secondary and higher secondary levels (aged 13-19 years; 50% boys), participated in the study. The Parent-Child Relationship Scale (Rao, 2000), Aggression Scale (Mathur & Bhatnagar, 2004), and four tests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (Delis, Kaplan, & Kramer, 2001) were administered to measure the perceived quality of PCR, level of aggression, and EF, respectively, in participants. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that perceived PCRs were related to EF and adolescent aggression among South Asian youth. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses using Baron and Kenny's (1986) guidelines showed that the influence of PCRs on aggression was partially mediated by EF The findings suggest that PCRs and EF can be important factors to focus on in interventions aimed at preventing adolescent aggression in society.