Effects and potential mechanisms of parental harsh discipline on adolescents’ relational aggression

Relational aggression seriously affects adolescents’ social adaptation, physical and mental health, and personality development. In an individual’s life and development, parenting style profoundly influences adolescents’ relational aggression; however, little is known about the association between parental harsh discipline and adolescents’ relational aggression and its potential mediating mechanisms.

This study used 3-waves longitudinal questionnaires from 453 students from three colleges as research materials. Using SPSS and AMOS software, a structural equation model was established, and the bootstrap method was used to examine the mediation effect of trait anger and moral disengagement in the link between parental harsh discipline (including psychological aggression and corporal punishment) and adolescents’ relational aggression.

Research has found that parental psychological aggression directly and positively impacts adolescents’ relational aggression. Parental harsh discipline can also affect relational aggression by increasing their trait anger and moral disengagement. Additionally, trait anger can increase moral disengagement.

This study explores the underlying mechanisms of parental harsh discipline on adolescents’ relational aggression, demonstrating the connection between parental harsh discipline, trait anger, moral disengagement, and adolescents’ relational aggression. The results of this study provide insights for interventions in adolescent relational aggression. Targeting parental nurturing behaviors through family interventions can reduce the risks of adolescent trait anger, moral disengagement, and relational aggression.