Maternal attachment and aggression among Chinese adolescents: the mediating effect of self-efficacy

Prior research suggests that parental attachment can influence adolescents' behavioral problems, such as aggression. However, these studies have often overlooked the potential role of adolescents' individual attributes in mediating this relationship. To address this gap, the present study investigates the indirect effect of maternal attachment on adolescents' aggression through self-efficacy, an important individual attribute. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis on a random sample of adolescents from Shanghai, China, this study finds that self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between maternal attachment and reactive aggression. Considering these results, intervention programs aimed at adolescent development should emphasize strengthening self-efficacy to mitigate aggression.