A Study on the Relationship between State Anxiety and Aggression among Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between state anxiety and aggression among adolescents, with a particular focus on gender differences. Aggression was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct including anger, physical aggression, hostility, and verbal aggression. A sample of 155 adolescents was selected using purposive sampling, including 111 males and 44 females. Standardized self-report measures were used to assess state anxiety and aggression. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation, and t-test to examine gender differences. The results revealed that there was no statistically significant gender difference in state anxiety, indicating that both male and female adolescents experience similar levels of situational anxiety. However, a significant gender difference was found in aggression, with females scored higher on anger, physical aggression, and hostility, whereas males scored higher on verbal aggression. A significant positive correlation was found between state anxiety and aggression, suggesting that higher levels of situational anxiety are associated with increased aggressive behavior. Similar positive relationships were seen between state anxiety and all subdimensions of aggression. The findings highlight the significant role of situational emotional processes in influencing aggressive behavior among adolescents. The study has implications for understanding adolescent behavior and emphasizes the need for interventions focusing on emotional regulation and anxiety management.