WHY ARE ADOLESCENTS GETTING SO AGGRESSIVE? EXPLORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PARENTING STYLES, PERCEIVED STRESS, AND MEDIA EXPOSURE

Abstract

The study investigated parenting styles, perceived stress, and media exposure as predictors of adolescent
aggression. Three hundred and ninety-four (394) secondary school students participated in this study in Nsukka
geographical areas. A convenient sampling method was employed in selecting the participants. Four instruments
were used in the study: the Parenting Style Inventory II (PSI II), the Perceived Stress Scale, the Content-Based
Media Scale, and the Aggressive Behavioural Scale. Three hypotheses were developed. Data generated were
analysed using Hierarchical Multiple Regression. The result of the study shows that only the permissive parenting
style positively and significantly predicted aggression (β = .16, p = .021), whereas authoritative and authoritarian did
not.
Moreover, the result also indicated that perceived stress positively and significantly predicted aggression (β = .31, p <
.001). The result also shows that the antisocial content dimension of the media exposure positively and significantly
predicted aggression (β = .26, p < .001), whereas the prosocial content dimension did not significantly predict
aggression. The implication of the study was discussed, and recommendations were made.
Keywords: Aggression, Media Exposure, Parenting Style and Perceived Stress