Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/zpfz.75.2.5
The Role of Individual and Social Factors in the Prevalence of Physical Aggression in Children
Karlo Bojčić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7901-8833
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Goran Livazović
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
Youth violence is often a continuation of physically aggressive childhood behavior. Identifying and understanding the effects of risk and protective factors in the development of physically aggressive behavior is crucial for creating effective prevention strategies. A study conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 on a sample of 378 children (aged 4–9) and their parents aimed to examine the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, parenting styles, parental attitudes towards aggression, and peer acceptance on the frequency of physically aggressive behavior in preschool and early school-age children. Results show that boys are more prone to frequent physical aggression, which decreases with age and higher peer acceptance. Authoritarian and permissive parenting styles, as well as positive parental attitudes towards aggression, were associated with more frequent physical aggression. The findings highlight the importance of prevention focused on parenting styles, educational and family support.
Keywords
physical aggressive behavior; risk and protective factors; children; family; peers
Hrčak ID:
336838
URI
Publication date:
20.10.2025.
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