Profiles of Chinese adolescents’ aggression and suicidal ideation in relation to parent-child relationships: a latent profile approach
摘要
Aggression and suicidal ideation among adolescents are global public health issues. While seemingly different, both stem from general aggressiveness and can coexist within individuals. Moreover, family systems theory indicates that positive parent-child relationships (closeness) can protect adolescents, especially at puberty, a risk period for aggression and suicidal ideation. However, negative parent-child relationships (conflict) may increase this risk. Therefore, this study sought to not only identify distinct profiles of aggression (outward-directed aggressiveness) and suicidal ideation (inward-directed aggressiveness) among 1371 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.97, SDage = 1.07) but also investigate the predictive effects of demographic variables and parent-child relationships. The findings revealed (a) three latent profiles: the low-risk and more inward group, the moderate-risk and more outward group, and the high-risk and more outward group; (b) significant differences in emotional and behavioral problems across the different latent profiles, with the high-risk and more outward group exhibiting the most severe problems; and (c) significant predictive effects of gender, family socioeconomic status, parent-child closeness, and father-child conflict, although the role of mother-child conflict was insignificant. These results emphasize the co-occurrence of aggression and suicidal ideation. They may help inform more effective and targeted measures to reduce the risk of adolescent aggression and suicide.