COVID-19 stress, aggressiveness, and deviant behaviour: a mediation analysis of youth in the pandemic era

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected adolescents’ psychosocial development, increasing vulnerability to distress and risk behaviors. This study examined whether aggression mediates the association between COVID-19–related stress and deviant behavior. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 638 adolescents and young adults (M = 18.8, SD = 3.51) from central Italy. Participants completed standardized self-report measures on COVID-related stress, aggression, and deviance. Analyses included Spearman correlations, regression models, and mediation testing. Social isolation was positively associated with aggression, whereas fear of COVID was negatively associated with aggression. Only physical aggression was significantly linked to deviant behavior. Mediation analysis showed that physical aggression partially mediated the relationship between COVID-19 stress and deviance: social isolation predicted higher physical aggression (β = 0.38, p < .001), which was associated with deviance (β = 0.07, p < .001); the indirect effect was significant (β = 0.027, p = .002). Fear of contagion showed a small but significant negative indirect effect (β = –0.006, p = .022). Social isolation increased risk, whereas fear of contagion appeared to have a potential protective function. What is already known about this topic:The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted adolescent mental health, increasing emotional distress and behavioural problems.Stressful experiences during adolescence can contribute to the emergence of aggressive and deviant behaviours.Aggression is a well-established risk factor for externalising behaviours and social maladjustment in youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted adolescent mental health, increasing emotional distress and behavioural problems. Stressful experiences during adolescence can contribute to the emergence of aggressive and deviant behaviours. Aggression is a well-established risk factor for externalising behaviours and social maladjustment in youth. What this topic adds:This study distinguishes between different types of COVID-related stress, showing that social isolation and fear of contagion have opposite effects on aggression and deviance.Physical aggression mediates the relationship between pandemic-related stress and deviant behaviour, identifying a specific psychological mechanism linking stress to risk behaviour.These findings suggest that interventions targeting social isolation and promoting adaptive responses may help reduce aggressive and deviant behaviour in adolescents. This study distinguishes between different types of COVID-related stress, showing that social isolation and fear of contagion have opposite effects on aggression and deviance. Physical aggression mediates the relationship between pandemic-related stress and deviant behaviour, identifying a specific psychological mechanism linking stress to risk behaviour. These findings suggest that interventions targeting social isolation and promoting adaptive responses may help reduce aggressive and deviant behaviour in adolescents.