Parental Communication and Discipline Styles as Predictors of Adolescent Aggression and Moral Attitudes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mihaela Rus, Mihaela Luminița Sandu, Mariana Floricica Călin (), Carmen-Mihaela Băiceanu, Maria Pescaru, Mihai Ștefănoaia, Constantina Alina Ilie Miloș (), Ramona Băluțescu and Corina Costache Colareza
Additional contact information
Mihaela Rus: Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, Ovidius University, University Alley, No. 1, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Mihaela Luminița Sandu: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University Mamaia Boulevard, No. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Mariana Floricica Călin: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University Mamaia Boulevard, No. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Carmen-Mihaela Băiceanu: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ovidius University Mamaia Boulevard, No. 124, 900527 Constanta, Romania
Maria Pescaru: Faculty of Education Sciences, Social Sciences and Psychology, Pitesti University Center, Pitesti Campus, 1, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Târgu din Vale Street, 110040 Arges, Romania
Mihai Ștefănoaia: Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, “Ștefan cel Mare” University Suceava, 13 University Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania
Constantina Alina Ilie Miloș: Institute of Psychology and Philosophy of the Romanian Academy, 13 September Boulevard, No. 13, Sector 5, 050711 Bucharest, Romania
Ramona Băluțescu: Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology and Political Sciences, West University of Timisoara, Bd. Vasile Pârvan Nr. 4, 300223 Timișoara, Romania
Corina Costache Colareza: Faculty of Educational Sciences, Communication and International Relations, Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest, Ajustorului Street, No 6, Bl C3, Et 6, Ap. 32, Sector 6, 061041 Bucharest, Romania

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: This research examines the impact of parental communication and education on the aggressive behavior of adolescents and their attitudes toward morality, from an interdisciplinary perspective. The study aims to investigate the relationship between parental attitudes towards aggressive behaviors, the disciplinary styles used, and the school adaptation of adolescents. The central hypothesis is that a parenting style based on open communication reduces aggressive behavior and improves moral attitudes. Methods. The method involved a cross-sectional study on a sample of 403 adolescents, using structured questionnaires to assess parental communication, attitudes towards aggression, school experience, and aggressive behaviors. The findings revealed a significant positive association between parental tolerance of aggression and adolescents’ aggressive behaviors (r = 0.280, p < 0.001). In contrast, open parental communication was positively related to school adaptation (r = 0.348, p < 0.001). Moreover, negative school attitudes were strong predictors of aggressive manifestations (r = −0.374, p < 0.001). The conclusions emphasize the importance of parental intervention programs that promote effective communication and reduce tolerance of aggressive behaviors, thereby fostering the development of prosocial behaviors and healthy moral attitudes in adolescents.

Keywords: parental communication; parental education; aggressive behavior; adolescents; morality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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