Exploring the Dimensions and Components of Maternal Aggression in Mother–Child Interactions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, iran.

2 PhD in Educational Psychology, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Councelling, Farhangian University, P.O.Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
Maternal aggression in interactions with children is a multidimensional phenomenon influenced by individual, interpersonal, familial, and situational factors and associated with children’s mental health and family relationships. This study aimed to explore the dimensions and components of maternal aggression in interactions with children. In this qualitative study, 12 married mothers were purposively and voluntarily selected based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews until data saturation and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Analysis identified 176 open codes and 28 axial codes, organized into 10 main components: attachment injuries, child-triggering behaviors, adverse childhood experiences, expectations and hostile attribution bias, psychological and physical stressors, deficits in emotional-behavioral skills, support networks, maternal maltreatment of the child, low child mental health, and reduced individual and family life satisfaction. These components encompassed mothers’ internal experiences and stressors, mother-child interaction characteristics, support resources, and individual and familial consequences. The findings indicated that maternal aggression cannot be attributed to a single factor or solely to children’s behavior. Rather, it emerges within a multidimensional context involving past experiences, mothers’ perceptions of children’s behavior, psychological and physical stressors, emotional-behavioral skills, social support, and family relationship quality. Considering these dimensions simultaneously may help identify factors associated with maternal aggression and inform psychological and educational interventions to improve mother-child interactions and promote healthier family functioning overall.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 September 2026