Explaining Adolescent Bullying Based on Parental Maltreatment and Parental Bonding: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Master’s Student in Clinical Psychology, Kashmar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kashmar, Iran

Abstract

Background: Empirical research evidence indicates that bullying has become a widespread and pervasive issue among adolescents, with various factors identified as its predictors.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to explain bullying in adolescent based on parental attachment and parental maltreatment, with the mediating role of perceived social support.

Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design using path analysis. The statistical population consisted of all adolescents aged 14 to 17 in Gonabad city during the 2025 academic year. A total of 287 participants were selected through cluster sampling. They completed the following questionnaires: the Illinois Bully Scale (Espelage & Holt, 2001), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988), the Parental Bonding Instrument (Parker et al., 1979), and the Parental Abuse Questionnaire (Fedele, 1989). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and path analysis via SPSSV24 and AMOSV24 software.

Results: Results revealed that parental maltreatment (β= 0.240), parental attachment (β= −0.240), and perceived social support (β= −0.428) had significant direct effects on bullying in adolescent (p<0.01). Additionally, parental maltreatment (β= 0.216) and parental attachment (β= −0.159) had significant indirect effects on bullying through perceived social support (p< 0.01).

Conclusion: The structural model of bullying in adolescent based on parental attachment and parental maltreatment, mediated by perceived social support, demonstrated acceptable fit indices. This model can be utilized by educators, school administrators, psychologists, family counselors, and educational specialists to enhance parent–child relationships, foster social support, and reduce both parental maltreatment and bullying in adolescent.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Clinical Psychology
Volume 17, Issue 3 - Serial Number 67
September 2025
Pages 77-94

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 09 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 24 June 2025

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