Parenting violence modulates mediating effect of violent attitude between trait anger and aggressive behavior

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationships among college students' trait anger, violent attitude and aggressive behavior. Methods A total of 991 college students were surveyed with the Trait Anger Scale, the Violent Attitude Questionnaire and the Aggression Questionnaire. Results (1)College students' scores on trait anger, violent attitude and aggressive scales were 17.99±3.94, 3.52±2.20 and 70.12±14.67, respectively. (2) There were significant correlations among college students' trait anger, violent attitude and aggressive behavior(r=0.172-0.835, P<0.01). (3) Trait anger had a direct impact on aggressive behavior, as well as indirect effects through violent attitude.The direct effect of trait anger on aggressive behavior was 0.53, the indirect effect of violent attitude was 0.13, the total effect was 0.66, and the indirect effect was 20%.(4)The experience of parenting violence moderated the mediating effect of voilent attitude, and violent attitude moderated trait anger and aggression in those who didn't experience parenting violence(β=0.28, P<0.01), while the mediating effect was not significant in those who experienced parenting violence(β=-0.24, P=0.23, SIE=-0.166, P=0.28). Conclusion Violent attitude partially mediates trait anger and aggressive behavior, which is moderated by experienced parenting violence. Key words: Trait Anger; Violent Attitude; Aggressive Behavior; Parenting Violence; Moderated Mediating Effect