The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Aggression in Delinquent Adolescents: the Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation, Attachment and Mentalization

ABSTRACT Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), encompassing physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and dysfunctional family dynamics, profoundly influence the developmental trajectories of children and adolescents, posing a significant public health challenge globally. This cross‐sectional study investigated the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation, attachment and mentalization in the relationship between ACEs and aggression among 269 male delinquent adolescents, aged 15–18 years, at the Tehran Correctional and Rehabilitation Center from January to September 2023. Utilizing a correlational design with structural equation modelling (SEM), data were collected using self‐report measures, including the Brief Aggression Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Attachment Scale, Reflective Functioning Questionnaire and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0 and SmartPLS4, yielding satisfactory model fit indices (SRMR = 0.03, NFI = 0.96). Findings indicated that ACEs directly increase aggression ( β = 0.17, p < 0.01) and emotion dysregulation ( β = 0.63, p < 0.01) while reducing secure attachment and mentalization capacities ( p < 0.01). Emotion dysregulation ( β = 0.45, p < 0.01) notably predicts higher aggression, whereas attachment ( β = −0.13, p < 0.05) and mentalization ( β = −0.19, p < 0.01) showed weaker, less consistent direct effects on reducing aggression. Additionally, emotion dysregulation ( β = 0.28, p < 0.01), mentalization ( β = 0.12, p < 0.01) and attachment ( β = 0.07, p < 0.01) mediate the relationship between ACEs and aggression, suggesting that ACEs exacerbate aggression through heightened emotion dysregulation and impaired attachment and mentalization. These findings underscore the need for interventions targeting emotion regulation, attachment security and mentalization to reduce aggression in this population.