Investigation of the State-Trait Anger Expression, Depression and Anxiety Level of Mothers of Adolescents Who Have Delinquent Behaviours

Adolescent delinquent behaviors that become apparent during adolescence are influenced by the adolescent’s family relationships and the mother’s psychological well-being. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationships between adolescent mothers' trait anger and anger expression styles, depression and anxiety levels, and adolescents' delinquent behaviors and demographic variables. The study group consisted of 50 adolescents (11 females, 39 males) aged 15–18 who were attending the Education and Development Center affiliated with Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, along withtheir mothers. Data were collected using “Personal Information Form 1,” the “Trait Anger and Anger Expression Scale,” the “Beck Depression Scale,” and the “Beck Anxiety Scale”for mothers; and “Personal Information Form 2” and the“Delinquent Behavior Scale” for adolescents.The findings revealed thatmothers who were single, had daughters, and negatively evaluated the mother-child relationship had higher levels of trait anger. Additionally, a significant positive relationship was found between mothers’ outward anger expression and adolescents’ delinquent behavior levels.The results of the study emphasize the importance of providing social and psychological support not only to adolescents exhibiting delinquent behaviors but also to their families, in order to protect them from engaging in criminal behaviors.