Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of anger in the relationship between parental psychological control and dating violence perpetration, while also investigating the moderating effects of perceived power in relationships and gender. Women reported higher perceived power in relationships than men, but no gender differences were found in overall dating violence perpetration. Additionally, moderated mediation effects of perceived power and gender were significant. For men, parental psychological control influenced dating violence perpetration through anger, regardless of their perceived power in relationships. In contrast, for women, this indirect effect was significant only when their perceived power in relationships was below average and was not significant when it was above average. The findings highlight the importance of intrapersonal, environmental, and interpersonal factors in explaining dating violence and emphasize the need for gender-specific interventions.