RESEARCH ARTICLE
Longitudinal Associations and Gender Differences of Parent–Child Relationships on Aggression in Chinese Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Psychological Suzhi
Xu Wang,
Ni Zhu,
Mingchen Wei,
Shuai Chen,
Weijun Liu,
Yanling Liu,
Xu Wang
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Research Center of Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Search for more papers by this authorNi Zhu
Chongqing Yubei Qicheng Bashu Primary School, Chongqing, China
Search for more papers by this authorMingchen Wei
Institute of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Search for more papers by this authorShuai Chen
School of Psychology & Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
Search for more papers by this authorWeijun Liu
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Research Center of Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yanling Liu
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Research Center of Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Correspondence: Yanling Liu ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorXu Wang,
Ni Zhu,
Mingchen Wei,
Shuai Chen,
Weijun Liu,
Yanling Liu,
Xu Wang
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Research Center of Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Search for more papers by this authorNi Zhu
Chongqing Yubei Qicheng Bashu Primary School, Chongqing, China
Search for more papers by this authorMingchen Wei
Institute of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Search for more papers by this authorShuai Chen
School of Psychology & Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
Search for more papers by this authorWeijun Liu
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Research Center of Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Yanling Liu
Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Research Center of Mental Health Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Correspondence: Yanling Liu ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 20 April 2025
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the association of father–child and mother–child relationships with aggression in Chinese adolescents and the mediating role of psychological suzhi, considering gender differences. Conducted over three measurements between September 2022 and April 2024, the study involved 744 adolescents (53.2% boys; age at T1 M = 12.89, SD = 0.80). Findings showed that both father–child and mother–child relationships were directly associated with adolescent aggression after one and a half years and indirectly mediated by psychological suzhi. However, the direct association of mother–child relationships was not significant in both male and female samples. The study confirms that positive parent–child relationships and psychological suzhi help reduce adolescent aggression and highlight the different roles of parents in adolescent development.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Data can be obtained by contacting the first author via email.
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