The Effect of Parent-Child Conflict on Symptoms of Depression, Internalizing Problems, and Aggression: The Mediating Role of Emotional Security

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of parent-child conflict on symptoms of depression, internalizing problems, and aggression with regard to the mediator role of emotional security. The research method is descriptive of structural equations through path analysis. The statistical population of the research included all first and second grade students of Ahvaz city, of which 240 students were selected as a sample through multi-stage cluster sampling. The research tools included parent-child conflict questionnaire, emotional security scale, children's depression questionnaire, internalizing problems questionnaire and aggression questionnaire. The research data was checked to evaluate the conceptual model by the method of structural equations and the fit of the model was confirmed. The results of path analysis indicated the direct effect of parent-child conflict on emotional security, depression symptoms, internalizing problems, and aggression, and the direct effect of emotional security on depression symptoms, internalizing problems, and aggression. Also, the results showed that parent-child conflict had an indirect effect on symptoms of depression, internalizing problems, and aggression through emotional security. It was also suggested that parenting training courses be held by relevant authorities in order to create emotional security in the family.

Keywords

• aggression
• depressive symptoms
• emotional security
• internalizing problems
• parent-child conflict