Investigation of the Association of the Attitudes and Beliefs of Adolescents and Their Parents with the Aggression Behaviours of Adolescents

Objective: Violent behavior is prevalent among adolescents and represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Understanding the factors contributing to adolescent aggression is essential for developing effective prevention strategies and promoting public health. This study aims to examine the association of the beliefs and attitudes of adolescents and their parents with the aggression of adolescents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 413 adolescents aged 13-19 and their parents (408 mothers and 383 fathers). The Buss–Perry Aggression (BPA) scale was employed to assess aggression levels in adolescents, while the Attitude Toward Violence (ATV) and Belief in Violence (BIV) scales were used to evaluate the attitudes and beliefs of adolescents and their parents. Results: The mean BPA score of 409 adolescents (aged 13-19 years) was 2.56 ± 0.58, with 41 (10%) classified as low, 321 (78.5%) as medium, and 47 (11.5%) as high. Given that the overall aggression score was at a moderate level, subscale scores were not examined. The BPA scores were significantly associated with adolescents’ ATV and BIV scores, as well as mothers’ ATV scores. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships among all scales, except between BPA and the BIV scores of both mothers and fathers. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the attitudes and beliefs regarding violence held by adolescents and their parents significantly influence the development of aggressive behaviors in adolescents within their immediate social environment.