The relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and alexithymia with anger in male adolescents with bullying behaviors: the mediating role of hostile attribution bias.

INTRODUCTION

The issue of anger in adolescents with bullying behavior is a critical concern in this age group. Understanding the emotions and cognitions involved can provide clearer insights for researchers and practitioners working in this field of inquiry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of difficulties in emotion regulation (DIER) and alexithymia in anger through hostile attribution bias (HAB) in male adolescents with bullying behaviors.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study using the pathway analysis. The statistical population included 332 male adolescents with a high level of bullying behavior living in Zanjan, Iran. Participants completed DIER scale (Gratz and Roemer), Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Social Information Processing-Attribution Bias Questionnaire (Coccaro et al.), Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger), Aggression Questionnaire (Buss and Perry), and Illinois Bullying Questionnaire. The pathway analysis method was used in Lisrel 8.8 software.

RESULTS

The results also revealed a direct and significant relationship of DIER (β = 0.19, p < .05), alexithymia (β = 0.17, p < .05), and HAB (β = 0.32, p < .05) with anger. The mediating role of HAB in the relationship between DIER and anger was significant (β = 0.32). Moreover, the mediating role of HAB in the relationship between alexithymia and anger was significant (β = 0.20).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the role of HAB in exacerbating anger by causing misinterpretations of social cues as hostile, particularly in those with impaired emotion regulation and alexithymia. These findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at improving DIER and emotional awareness to reduce HAB and subsequent aggressive behaviors in adolescents with bullying tendencies. Addressing these underlying emotional and cognitive biases is crucial for mitigating anger and aggression in this population.