J Korean Acad Nurs. 2013 Jun;43(3):321-330. Korean.
Published online Jun 28, 2013.
© 2013 Korean Society of Nursing Science
Original Article

Comparison of the Factors Influencing Young Adolescents' Aggression according to Family Structure

Eun Kyoung Yun and Sung Hee Shin
    • College of Nursing Science, East-West Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Received December 31, 2012; Accepted February 23, 2013.

Abstract

Purpose

This cross-sectional study was done to compare factors influencing young adolescents' aggression according to family structure.

Methods

Participants were 680 young adolescents aged 11 to 15 years (113 in single father families, 136 in single mother families, 49 in grandparent families, and 382 in both-parent families). All measures were self-administered. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program and factors affecting young adolescents' aggression were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression.

Results

Levels of young adolescents' aggression and all variables were significantly different among the four family structure groups. Factors influencing young adolescents' aggression were also different according to these 4 groups. For single father families, depression-anxiety and family hardiness significantly predicted the level of young adolescents' aggression (adjusted R square=.37, p<.001). For single mother families, depression-anxiety, gender, and friends' support significantly predicted the level of young adolescents' aggression (adjusted R square=.58, p<.001). For grandparent families, depression-anxiety and family support significantly predicted the level of young adolescents' aggression (adjusted R square=.58, p<.001). For both-parent families, depression-anxiety, family hardiness, and friends' support significantly predicted the level of young adolescents' aggression (adjusted R square=.48, p<.001).

Conclusion

Nurses working with young adolescents should consider family structure-specific factors influencing aggression in this population.

Keywords
Family; Adolescent; Aggression; Depression; Anxiety

Tables

Table 1
General Characteristics and Homogeneity among the Four Groups (N=680)

Table 2
Differences in Level of Variables among the Four Groups (N=680)

Table 3
Partial Correlation between Aggression and Independent Variables in Four Groups (N=680)

Table 4
Multiple Regression Analysis for Variables Predicting Adolescents' Aggression according to Family Type (N=680)

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