The chain mediating role of consolidated helicopter parenting and impulsivity in the physical activity to adolescent aggressive behavior

This study aims to investigate the chain mediating effect of consolidated helicopter parenting and adolescent impulsivity on the relationship between physical activity and adolescent aggressive behavior. A survey was conducted with 4813 adolescents using the School Physical Activity Scale, the Consolidated Helicopter Parenting Scale, the Brief Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS macro for correlation analysis, regression analysis, and chain mediation effect testing. (1) Physical activity is positively correlated with adolescent aggressive behavior and can positively predict consolidated helicopter parenting, adolescent impulsivity, and aggressive behavior. (2) Consolidated helicopter parenting positively predicts adolescent impulsivity and aggressive behavior, while adolescent impulsivity positively predicts aggressive behavior. (3) A significant chain mediation effect was found, where physical activity indirectly influences aggressive behavior through the path consolidated helicopter parenting → adolescent impulsivity. Physical activity can exacerbate adolescent aggressive behavior by enhancing the level of consolidated helicopter parenting and increasing adolescent impulsivity. This chain mediation mechanism provides new insights into the causes of adolescent aggressive behavior and offers practical implications for school sports interventions and family educational guidance.