Relationship between Parental Attitudes and Anger Expression Styles in Children and Adolescents

Aim: In this study, it is aimed to examine the relationship between parental attitudes, anger and anger expression styles. Method: The research was conducted using a survey method. The sample consisted of 412 participants aged between 8 and 18 years, including both children and adolescents from Diyarbakır. In order to collect data, a socio-demographic data form prepared by the researcher, the Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale, and the Parental Attitude Scale were administered on participants. Descriptive analyses, T-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analyses were employed to analyze the research data. Results: Of the children and adolescents participating in the study, 41.7% were between the ages of 11 and 15. The study found a positive correlation between the trait anger subscale and permissive (r: 0.191; p<0.05), protective (r: 0.145; p<0.05), democratic (r: 0.102; p<0.05) and authoritarian parental attitudes (r: 0.341; p<0.05). Additionally, a moderate, positive relationship was found between the controlled anger subscale and protective (r: 0.333; p<0.05) and democratic parental attitudes (r: 0.537; p<0.05). There was also a positive relationship between the outwardly expressed anger subscale and permissive (r: 0.219; p<0.05), protective (r: 0.145; p<0.05), democratic attitudes (r: 0.140; p<0.05) and authoritarian attitudes (r: 0.348; p<0.05). Finally, positive correlation was found between the suppressed anger subscale and permissive (r: 0.218; p<0.05), protective (r: 0.157; p<0.05), democratic (r: 0.263; p<0.05), and authoritarian (r: 0.138; p<0.05) parental attitudes. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a significant relationship between trait anger, controlled anger, suppressed anger, and outwardly expressed anger levels and parental attitudes. In this context, this study suggests that parents should be aware of their parenting styles because these styles impact chidren’s anger and its expression.