The Association between Emotional and Psychological Well-Being and Adolescent Aggression: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: During adolescence, rapid changes in the physical, cognitive, and social domains can make it difficult for individuals to regulate their emotions, potentially leading to increased aggression when psychological well-being is compromised. Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between emotional and psychological well-being and levels of aggression among high school students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and May 2025 and included 195 high school students in Mersin, Turkey, who met the sampling criteria. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Stirling Children's Emotional and Psychological Well-Being Scale (SCWBS), and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, linear regression, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc tests. Results: The majority of participants were female. Emotional and psychological well-being was significantly and inversely associated with overall aggression and with its hostility, anger, and verbal aggression subscales, both before and after adjustment for sociodemographic and behavioral covariates. In a multivariable linear regression model, emotional and psychological well-being was associated with overall aggression scale score (adjusted B=-0.551, 95% CI: (-0.845 ‒ -0.257, p<0.001). After adjustment, the association between well-being and physical aggression across other domains of the aggression scale was no longer statistically significant (adjusted B = -0.045, 95% CI: -0.165 to 0.076, p = 0.466). Conclusion: Emotional and psychological well-being are significant negative predictors of aggression in adolescents, suggesting that enhancing well-being may be an effective strategy for reducing aggressive behavior.