Predicting Aggression Based on Internalized Shame and Communication Skills in Mothers with Elementary School Children

In recent years, researchers in the field of behavioral sciences have paid more attention to the importance of the mental health of the family and its members and the role they play in shaping the dynamics of society. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to predict aggression based on internalized shame and communication skills in mothers with elementary school children.

This descriptive-correlational research was conducted in Bandar Abbas city in 2023 with the statistical population of all mothers with elementary school children. Using convenience sampling, 222 mothers were selected. The data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, "Aggression Questionnaire", "Internalized Shame Scale" and " Communication Skills Test-Revised ". The content validity of the instruments was confirmed by the qualitative method by asking the opinions of 4 lecturers of the Department of Counseling and Psychology of Hormozgan University. Reliability was checked and confirmed by internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The data of the research was collected through in-person visits to schools and qualified mothers responding to the instruments. The data was analyzed with SPSS.26.

Internalized shame positively predicted mothers' aggression (P<0.001, β=0.56). Also, among the components of communication skills, only communication with assertiveness positively predicted aggression in mothers. (β>0.001, P=0.29). The results of the regression analysis also showed that 0.46 of the total variance of aggression is explained by internalized shame and communication with assertiveness.

Internalized shame and communication with assertiveness are important predictors of aggression in mothers with elementary school children. 
Therefore, it is suggested that educational methods to reduce internalized shame and improve communication skills, especially the component of communication together with assertiveness, should be considered for mothers with primary school children.