The Role of Post-divorce Parental Conflict in Predicting Aggression, Anger, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression among University Students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-divorce parental conflict predicted physical aggression, anger and symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students. One hundred and sixty students (96 females and 64 males) who were enrolled at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, whose parents were divorced and whose ages were between 18 and 24 were included in the study. Post-Divorce Parental Conflict Scale, physical aggression and anger dimensions of Buss-Perry Aggression Scale, and anxiety and depression dimensions of Brief Symptom Inventory were used as data collection tools. In this study, path analysis was used with statistically observed variables. The findings of the current study revealed that post-divorce parental conflict predicted physical aggression, anger, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in the university students. Post-divorce parental conflict explained 7% of the variance in physical aggression, 5% of the variance in anger, 15% of the variance in anxiety symptoms, and 13% of the variance in depression symptoms. The obtained results were discussed in reference to the related literature.