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How childhood maltreatment influences aggression in juvenile offenders: a serial mediation model involving executive function and alexithymia

Xue Zhang,Tailei Gong,Xiaodi Wang,Runchu Zhang,Weijie Meng

Published 2025 in BMC Psychology

ABSTRACT

Childhood maltreatment is prevalent among juvenile offenders and constitutes a significant risk factor for aggression, which is highly associated with violent crimes in this population. However, the underlying serial mediation mechanism involving executive function and alexithymia in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and aggression requires further investigation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 135 juvenile offenders from a detention center, of which 103 valid participants were retained (62.1% male; aged 15 – 18 years). Participants completed validated scales: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Adult Executive Function Inventory-Self (ASEXI), the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Serial mediation analysis was performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 6). (1) Childhood maltreatment was directly and positively associated with aggression (β = 0.49, t = 2.96, p < 0.01); (2) Significant independent mediating effects were found for executive function (β = 0.12, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.25]) and alexithymia (β = 0.10, SE = 0.07, 95% CI [0.001, 0.25]); (3) A significant serial mediation pathway emerged: childhood maltreatment → executive function → alexithymia → aggression (β = 0.05, SE = 0.03, 95% CI [0.002, 0.12]), accounting for 6.59% of the total effect. This study confirms dual pathways linking childhood maltreatment to aggression in juvenile offenders: direct effects and serial mediation through executive dysfunction and alexithymia. Findings underscore the need for trauma-informed interventions targeting cognitive and affective regulation skills to reduce violence in this high-risk group.

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