Predicting Aggression Based on Communication Skills and Self-compassion: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Distortions

The category of aggression in personal and social relationships is an important issue that requires more and more research and knowledge. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of predicting aggression based on communication skills and self-compassion, considering the mediating role of cognitive distortions. The current research was a type of correlation study with path analysis method. The statistical population of this research was all students of Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan in the academic year of 2022-2023. The selected sample consisted of 253 people from among the target statistical population, who were selected by available sampling method. To collect data from the Communication Skills Questionnaire (CSTR) (Quindam, 2004), the Self-Compassion Questionnaire (SCS) (Neff, 2003), the Aggression Questionnaire (EAI) (Eysenck and Glen Wilson, 1975) and the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (Abdollahzadeh and Salar, 2009) was used. The resulting data were analyzed in SPSS 26 and AMOS 23 software and with statistical tests of Pearson's correlation coefficient and path analysis. Data analysis showed a good fit of the model after modification. The direct effect of communication skills (0.20), self-compassion (-0.61) and cognitive distortions (0.19) on aggression was significant (p<0.05). Also, the indirect results of the paths showed that only the relationship between communication skills and the mediating role of cognitive distortions on aggression (-0.14) was significant (p<0.05). Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that communication skills, self-compassion and cognitive distortions have a significant role in aggression, and considering the high personal and social importance of the phenomenon of aggression and the various consequences it can have for society and individuals, attention Its predictive factors are important.