Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Contribution of Family Relationships to Child-to-Parent Violence

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Child-to-parent violence is a social problem that is qualitatively different from other types of family violence, since adolescents direct their violence toward those who should represent authority and provide for their welfare. One of the goals of this study was to analyze the importance of the quality of family relationships and different strategies of family discipline with regard to violent or prosocial behavior of adolescents toward their parents. Structural Equation Modeling was used to test a model of violent behavior towards parents. Participants were 585 children aged between 12 and 18 from eight schools in the Basque Country (Spain). Positive family discipline and supervision were not associated with lower levels of violence against parents. Family relationships had direct effects on child-to-parent violence, and power-assertive discipline showed a mediating effect in that association. It seems that affectivity and quality of family relationships are the most important aspects for preventing violent behaviors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Even if the assault was not very serious.

  2. Physical violence: This variable was obtained by averaging serious and mild violence.

References

  • Aluja, A., Del Barrio, V., & García, L. F. (2005). Relationships between adolescents’ memory of parental rearing styles, social values and socialization behavior traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 39, 903–912. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2005.02.028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arbuckle, J. L. (1996). Full information estimation in the presence of incomplete data. In G. A. Marcoulides & R. E. Schumacker (Eds.), Advanced structural equation modeling: Issues and techniques (pp. 243–277). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer, J. (2004). Sex differences in aggression in real-world settings: a meta-analytic review. Review of General Psychology, 8, 291–322. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.8.4.291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aseltine, R. H. (1995). A reconsideration of parental and peer influences on adolescent deviance. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 36, 103–121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11, 56–95. doi:10.1177/0272431691111004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M. (2006). EQS, structural equations program manual. Encino: Multivariate Statistical Software, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyers, W., & Goossens, L. (1999). Emotional autonomy, psychosocial adjustment and parenting: interactions, moderating and mediating effects. Journal of Adolescence, 22, 753–769. doi:10.1006/jado.1999.0268.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bischof, G., Stith, S., & Whitney, M. L. (1995). Family environments of adolescent sex of-fenders and other juvenile delinquents. Adolescence, 30, 157–170.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brezina, T. (1999). Teenage violence towards parents as an adaptation to family strain. Evidence from a National Survey of Male Adolescents. Youth and Society, 30, 416–444. doi:10.1177/0044118X99030004002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calvete, E., Gámez-Guadix, M., & Orue, I. (2010). El Inventario de Dimensiones de Disciplina (DDI), Versión niños y adolescentes: Estudio de las prácticas de disciplina parental desde una perspectiva de género [The Dimensions of Discipline Inventory (DDI)-Child and adolescent version: Analysis of parental discipline from age and gender perspective]. Anales de Psicología, 26, 410–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvete, E., Orue, I., & Sampedro, R. (2011). Violencia filio-parental en la adolescencia: Características ambientales y personales [Child to parent violence in adolescence: environmental and individual characteristics]. Infancia y Aprendizaje, 34, 349–363. doi:10.1174/021037011797238577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calvete, E., Orue, I., & Gámez-Guadix, M. (2013). Child-to-parent violence: emotional and behavioral predictors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28, 755–772. doi:10.1177/0886260512455869.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calvete, E., Gámez-Guadix, M., & Orue, I. (2014a). Características familiares asociadas a las agresiones ejercidas por adolescentes contra sus progenitores [Family characteristics associated with child-to-parent aggression in adolescents]. Anales de Psicología, 30, 754–771. doi:10.6018/analesps.30.3.166291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calvete, E., Orue, I., Bertino, L., Gonzalez-Díez, Z., Montes, Y., Padilla, P., & Pereira, R. (2014b). Child-to-parent violence in adolescents: the perspectives of the parents, children, and professionals in a sample of Spanish focus group participants. Journal of Family Violence, 29(3), 343–352. doi:10.1007/s10896-014-9578-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chess, S., & Thomas, A. (1996). Temperament: Theory and practice. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou, C., & Bentler, P. M. (1990). Model modification in covariance structure modelling: a comparison among likelihood ratio, Lagrange multiplier, and Wald tests. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 25, 115–136. doi:10.1207/s15327906mbr2501_13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cottrell, B. (2001). Parent abuse: The abuse of parents by their teenage children. Ottawa: Health Canada, Family Violence Prevention Unit. Retrieved from http://www.canadiancrc.com/PDFs/Parent_Abuse-Abuse_of_Parents_by_Their_Teenage_Children_2001.pdf

  • Cottrell, B., & Monk, P. (2004). Adolescent-to-parent abuse. A qualitative overview of common themes. Journal of Family Issues, 25, 1072–1095.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darling, N., & Steinberg, L. (1993). Parenting style as a context: an integrative model. Psychological Bulletin, 113, 487–496. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.113.3.487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeHart, G., Cooper, R., & Sroufe, L. A. (2004). Child development: Its nature and course (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downey, L. (1997). Adolescent violence: a systemic and feminist perspective. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 18, 70–79. doi:10.1002/j.1467-8438.1997.tb00272.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckstein, N. J. (2004). Emergent issues in families experiencing adolescent-to-parent abuse. Western Journal of Communication, 68, 365–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ediciones, T. E. A. (1984). Escalas de clima social: familia, trabajo, instituciones penitenciarias, centro escolar [Social climate scales: family, work, prisons, school]. Madrid: TEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Estévez, E., & Navarro, J. (2009). Adolescent aggression towards parents: Factors associated and intervention proposals. In C. Quin & S. Tawse (Eds.), Handbook of aggressive behaviour research (pp. 215–239). New York: Nova.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, E. D., & Warren-Sohlberg, L. (1988). A pattern of analysis of adolescent abusive behaviour towards parents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 3, 201–216. doi:10.1177/074355488832007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, E. (2004). Youth who victimise their parents. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 25, 94–105. doi:10.1002/j.1467-8438.2004.tb00591.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher E. (2007). Comparing child to parent violence (CPV) with intimate partner violence (IPV). Melbourne. Retrieved from http://web.aanet.com.au/eddiegallagher/Comparing%20CPV%20%26%20IPV.doc

  • Gallagher, E. (2008). Children’s violence to parents: A critical literature review. Master thesis. Monash University. Retrieved from http://web.aanet.com.au/eddiegallagher/Violence%20to%20Parents%20-%20Gallagher%202008.pdf

  • García, F., & García, E. (2010). ¿Qué estilo de socialización parental es el idóneo en España? Un estudio con niños y adolescentes de 10 a 14 años? [What is the optimum parental socialisation style in Spain? A study with children and adolescents aged 10–14 years]. Infancia y Aprendizaje, 33, 365–384. doi:10.1174/021037010792215118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gershoff, E. T. (2002). Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: a meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 128, 539–579.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halpenny, A.M., Nixon, E., & Watson, D. (2010). Parents’ perspectives on parenting styles and disciplining children. Dublin: Minister for Health and Children. Retrieved from http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/Parents_Perspectives_on_parenting_styles.pdf.

  • Hirschi, T., & Gottfredson, M. (1983). Age and the explanation of crime. American Journal of Sociology, 89, 552–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holden, G. W. (2002). Perspectives on the effects of corporal punishment: comment on Gershoff (2002). Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 590–595. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.128.4.590.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ibabe, I., & Jaureguizar, J. (2010). Child-to-parent violence: profile of abusive adolescents and their families. Journal of Criminal Justice, 38, 616–624. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2010.04.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibabe, I., Jaureguizar, J., & Bentler, P. M. (2013). Risk factors for child-to-parent violence. Journal of Family Violence, 28, 523–534. doi:10.1007/s10896-013-9512-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaureguizar, J., Ibabe, I., & Straus, M. A. (2013). Violent and prosocial behavior by adolescents toward parents and teachers in a community sample. Psychology in Schools, 50, 451–470. doi:10.1002/pits.21685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (1996). Modificación de la conducta y sus aplicaciones prácticas [Behavior modification and its practical applications]. México: El Manual Moderno.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennair, N., & Mellor, D. (2007). Parent abuse: a review. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 38, 203–219. doi:10.1007/s10578-007-0061-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, T. D., Edmonds, W. A., Dann, K. T. J., & Burnett, K. F. (2010). The clinical and adaptive features of young offenders of child–parent violence. Journal of Family Violence, 25, 509–520. doi:10.1007/s10896-010-9312-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, M., & Stattin, H. (2000). What Parents know, how they know it, and several forms of adolescent adjustment: Further support for a reinterpretation of monitoring. Developmental Psychology, 36, 366–380. doi:10.1037//0012-1649.36.3.366.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knickerbocker, R.L. (2003). Prosocial Behavior. Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

  • Loeber, R., & Hay, D. (1997). Key issues in the development of aggression and violence from childhood to early adulthood. Annual Review of Psychology, 48, 371–410. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.48.1.371.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Wylie-Weiher, A., & Smith, C. (1993). The relationship between family interaction and delinquency and substance use. In D. Huizinga, R. Loeber, & T. P. Thornberry (Eds.), Crime and justice: An annual review of research (Vol. 7, pp. 29–149). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, J., Bell, T., Fréchette, S., & Romano, E. (2015). Child-to-parent violence: Frequency and family correlates. Journal of Family Violence. doi:10.1007/s10896-015-9716-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacCallum, R. C., Browne, M. W., & Sugawara, H. M. (1996). Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structure modeling. Psychological Methods, 1, 130–149. doi:10.1037//1082-989X.1.2.130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E., & Jacklin, C. N. (1980). Sex differences in aggression: a rejoinder and reprise. Child Development, 51, 964–980. doi:10.2307/1129535.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E., & Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent–child interaction. In P. H. Mussen & E. M. Hetherington (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 4. Socialization, personality, and social development (4th ed., pp. 1–101). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Moos, B. (1981). Family environment scale manual. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologist Press. doi:10.4135/9781412952644.n169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musitu, G., & García, F. (2001). ESPA29: Escala de estilos de socialización parental en la adolescencia [Scale of parental socialization styles in adolescence]. Madrid: TEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musitu, G., Buelga, S., Lila, M., & Cava, M. J. (2001). Familia y adolescencia: un modelo de análisis e intervención psicosocial [Family and adolescence: a model of analysis and psychosocial intervention]. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nock, M. K., & Kazdin, A. E. (2002). Parent-directed physical aggression by clinic-referred youths. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 31, 193–205. doi:10.1207/153744202753604476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliva, A., Parra, A., & Arranz, E. (2008). Estilos relacionales parentales y ajuste adolescente [Parenting styles and adolescent adjustment]. Infancia y Aprendizaje, 31, 93–106. doi:10.1174/021037008783487093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pagani, L. S., Larocque, D., Vitaro, F., & Tremblay, R. E. (2003). Verbal and physical abuse toward mothers: the role of family configuration, environment, and coping strategies. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32, 215–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pagani, L. S., Tremblay, R. E., Nagin, D., Zoccolillo, M., Vitaro, F., & McDuff, P. (2004). Risk factor models for adolescent verbal and physical aggression toward mothers. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 28, 528–537. doi:10.1080/01650250444000243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papalia, D. E., Olds, S. W., & Feldman, R. D. (2006). A child’s world infancy through adolescence (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (1982). Coercive family process: A social learning approach. Eugene: Castalia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (1984). The correlation of family management practices and delinquency. Child Development, 55, 1299–1307.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R., Reid, J. B., & Dishion, T. J. (1992). Antisocial boys: A social-interactional approach. Eugene: Castalia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulson, M. J., Coombs, R. H., & Landsverk, J. (1990). Youth who physically assault their parents. Journal of Family Violence, 5, 121–133. doi:10.1007/BF00978515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigo, M. J., García, M., Márquez, M. L., & Triana, B. (2005). Discrepancias entre padres e hijos adolescentes en la frecuencia percibida e intensidad emocional en los conflictos familiares [Discrepancies between parents and adolescent children in the perceived frequency and emotional intensity in family conflicts]. Estudios de Psicología, 26, 21–34. doi:10.1174/0210939053421407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romano, E., Tremblay, R. E., Boulerice, B., & Swisher, R. (2005). Multilevel correlates of childhood physical aggression and prosocial behavior. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 33, 565–578. doi:10.1007/s10802-005-6738-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sheehan, M. (1997). Adolescent violence- strategies, outcomes and dilemmas in working with young people and their families. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 18, 80–91. doi:10.1002/j.1467-8438.1997.tb00274.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L., & Silk, J. S. (2002). Parenting adolescents. In I. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting. Children and parenting (Vol. 1). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., & Fauchier, A. (2007). Manual for the Dimensions of Discipline Inventory (DDI). Durham: Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hampshire.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., & Stewart, J. H. (1999). Corporal punishment by American parents: national data on prevalence, chronicity, severity and duration, in relation to child and family characteristics. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2, 55–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Finkelhor, D., Moore, D. W., & Runyan, D. (1998). Identification of child maltreatment with the parent–child conflict tactics scales: development and psychometric data for a national sample of American parents. Child Abuse and Neglect, 22, 249–270. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00174-9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ulman, A., & Straus, M. A. (2003). Violence by children against mothers in relation to violence between parents and corporal punishment by parents. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 34, 41–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Zeijl, J., Mesman, J., Stolk, M. N., Alink, L. R. A., Van IJzendoorn, M. H., Juffer, F., & Koot, H. (2007). Differential susceptibility to discipline: the moderating effect of child temperament on the association between maternal discipline and early externalizing problems. Journal of Family Psychology, 21, 626–636.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, J. A., & Krienert, J. L. (2009). A decade of child initiated family violence: comparative analysis of child parent violence and parricide examining offender, victim and event characteristics in a national sample of reported incidents, 1995–2005. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 1450–1477. doi:10.1177/0886260508323661.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, L. H., & Schwarz, J. C. (1996). The relationship between parenting types and older adolescents’ personality, academic achievement, adjustment, and substance use. Child Development, 67, 2101–2114. doi:10.2307/1131612.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa, H. (1994). Prevention as cumulative protection: effects of early family support and education on chronic delinquency and its risks. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 28–54. doi:10.1037//0033-2909.115.1.28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, K. H., & Bentler, P. M. (2000). Three likelihood-based methods for mean and covariance structure analysis with nonnormal missing data. In M. E. Sobel & M. P. Becker (Eds.), Sociological Methodology 2000 (pp. 165–200). Washington: American Sociological. doi:10.1111/0081-1750.00078.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, K.-H., Lambert, P. L., & Fouladi, R. T. (2004). Mardia’s multivariate kurtosis with missing data. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 3, 413–437. doi:10.1207/S15327906MBR3903_2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowlegdments

This research was supported by a grant from the Department of Employment and Social Policies of the Basque Government (Spain) M115/10 to the first author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Psychology and Behavior Sciences Methodology, University College of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, Avda. Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

    I. Ibabe

  2. Psychology Department, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    P. M. Bentler

Authors
  1. I. Ibabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. M. Bentler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I. Ibabe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ibabe, I., Bentler, P.M. The Contribution of Family Relationships to Child-to-Parent Violence. J Fam Viol 31, 259–269 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9764-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9764-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation