Differential effect of paternal and maternal parenting style during adolescence

The main goal of the present study was to analyze the differential effect of paternal and maternal parenting styles on aggressiveness during adolescence. The sample was made up of 271 students, aged 10-14, who completed questionnaires. The analysis of the data shows that boys display higher scores in physical and verbal aggressiveness than girls, with physical aggressiveness increasing with age. A high level of coincidence between paternal and maternal parenting style´s dimensions was found, as well as higher scores for mothers than fathers in all the dimensions. Correlation analysis shows significant negative values in almost all dimensions of paternal and maternal parenting styles. Regression analysis reveals differences in paternal vs. maternal parenting style regarding aggressiveness. The effect of psychological control and promotion of autonomy on the level of aggressiveness during the transition from childhood to adolescence is discussed.