Aggressive behavior among Italian justice-involved juveniles: the impact of attachment, discipline, and moral disengagement

Abstract

ABSTRACT Our research investigates the influence of family attachment, perceived parental discipline, time spent with parents, and moral disengagement on aggressive behaviors among 234 justice-involved juveniles from Italian Youth Detention Centers (14–25 years old). Participants fulfilled the Socio-demographic Questionnaire, Moral Disengagement Scale-short version, Attachment Style Questionnaire, and the Aggression Questionnaire. The stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive association between moral disengagement and insecure-avoidant attachment with aggressive behavior. The time spent with parents and the perceived severe discipline was negatively associated with aggressive behavior. Results provided suggestions for future research and directions in preventing criminality among juveniles.