Parental Attachment, Parental Acceptance, and Aggression among Adolescents

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore the relationship of parental attachment and parental acceptance with aggressive behavior of adolescents. The study also intended to determine gender differences in parental attachment, parental acceptance, and aggressive behaviors. Purposive sample (N = 300) comprising equal number of boys (n = 150) and girls (n = 150), ranging in age from 13-15 years was taken. Three culturally translated and adapted instruments were used in the study. Parental Attachment Questionnaire (Azam, 2006), Aggression Questionnaire (Ashraf, 2004), and Parental AcceptanceRejection Questionnaire (Riaz, 2000) were employed to assess parental attachment, aggression, and parental acceptance; respectively. Results showed significant negative correlation of parental attachment and parental acceptance with aggression. Significant gender differences were observed on parental attachment, parental acceptance, and aggression. Significant differences were also found in the manifestation of different types of aggression and parental attachment among adolescents. Finally, cultural implications and suggestions were discussed