Longitudinal Associations and Gender Differences of Parent–Child Relationships on Aggression in Chinese Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Psychological Suzhi

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.