Influence of Perceived Parental Psychological Control on Aggression in Middle School Students: The Mediating Effect of Callous-Unemotional Traits

This study examined the direct effects of perceived psychological control on aggression among middle school students, and its indirect effects mediated by callous-unemotional (CU) traits, considering both parent and adolescent gender. Data were collected from 250 middle school students (125 boys and 125 girls) using self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the structural relationships among the study variables. The results indicated a significant direct effect of paternal psychological control on aggression in both male and female students. However, the direct effect of maternal psychological control was not significant. Adolescents who perceived higher levels of paternal psychological control exhibited higher levels of aggression. In contrast, the indirect effect of parental psychological control on aggression through CU traits was significant only in female students. Female adolescents who perceived higher levels of maternal psychological control displayed higher callousness, which was associated with higher aggression. However, the mediating effects of the CU subdimensions, uncaring and unemotional traits, were not significant. These findings underscore the importance of adopting sex-specific approaches in parent education programs and interventions to prevent and address adolescent aggression and psychological issues.