Relationship between Aggression, Alexithymia and Parenting Styles among Adolescent Students

Abstract

Relationship between aggression, alexithymia, and parenting styles among adolescent students indicates that authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth, clear expectations, and consistent discipline, can reduce aggressive behaviors. This study aimed to explore the relationship between aggression, alexithymia, and parenting styles among adolescence students. Setting: The current study was conducted in four nursing schools in Sharkia Governorat. These schools are Fakous Nursing School, Abu Kaber, Al-Husseiniyah, and Sherief Omar. Research Design: This study employed a descriptive correlational design, utilizing a sample of 350 adolescents selected through a simple random sampling technique. Tools of Data Collection: Data were collected via an interview questionnaire that included socio-demographic information, the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), the Alexithymia Scale for Children and adolescents, and the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ). Results: Findings revealed that 39.1% displayed high levels of aggressive behavior. Additionally, 38.3% exhibited signs of alexithymia. Among parenting styles, authoritarian parenting showed the highest mean score (31.1 ± 5.6), followed by authoritative (29.9 ± 6.2) and permissive (28.6 ± 6.5) styles. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between alexithymia, total aggression measured by the Buss Perry scale, and parenting styles. Participants showing signs of alexithymia tended to exhibit higher aggression levels and experienced high levels of parental authority. Recommendations: It is recommended to implement programs aimed at enhancing emotional literacy and awareness among adolescents. These programs should focus on helping adolescents identify and express their emotions effectively.