Child-to-parent Violence and Parent-to-child Violence: A Meta-analytic Review

Abstract

h t t p s : / / j o u r n a l s. c o p m a d r i d. o rg / e j p a l c Child-to-parent violence has received little attention in the scientific literature, but recently it has become the focus of scientific scrutiny owing to the sudden increase in the recorded rates of this type of violence (Condry & Miles, 2014). Thus, the prevalence of childto-parent violence (i.e., hitting either parent) in the USA for a 3-year period ranged from 6.5 to 10.8% (Peek, Fisher, & Kidwell, 1985); in Canada for a 6-month period the prevalence rate ranged from 12% to 60% for physical aggression and verbal aggression, respectively (Pagani et al., 2004(Pagani et al., , 2009; in Spain, where most field studies have been performed (Moulds & Day, 2017), the prevalence rate ranged from 21% for physical violence and psychological abuse to 46% for emotional abuse . In contrast, other studies in Canada and France found much lower prevalence rates of around 0.6% (DeKeseredy, 1993;Laurent & Derry, 1999). Moreover, prevalence is influenced by sociodemographic variables, economic status, child and parent gender, and family structure (Agnew & Huguley, 1989;Nowakowski-Sims & Rowe, 2015;Peek et al., 1985). The discrepancies in the results of prevalence rates are in all probability due to different definitions of child-to-parent violence, which in turn entail variations in measures and measurement instruments.

Multivariate Models of Child-to-Mother Violence and Child-to-Father Violence among Adolescents

“…It is also interesting to note the potential risk factors that were not retained in either model. Although socioeconomic level, extroversion, positive parental support, self-conflict in the application of discipline, and conflict between parents in applying discipline variables have been related to CPV and to adolescents' aggressive behaviour in other studies (e.g., Aroca-Montolío et al, 2014;Carrasco & Del Barrio, 2007;Cottrell y Monk, 2004;Gallego et al, 2019;Ibabe & Bentler, 2016;Margolin & Baucom, 2014), in the present study, we did not find a significant relationship. It is possible that these variables became non-significant after controlling for the effect of other relevant variables for CPV.…”

“…It is possible that these variables became non-significant after controlling for the effect of other relevant variables for CPV. The most surprising of the variables that were not retained in the model was direct victimization at home, which has been repeatedly related to CPV (e.g., Gallego et al, 2019;Kennair & Mellor, 2007;Kennedy et al, 2010). However, it is necessary to consider the multivariate context in which it was tested and the possible overlap with other variables, such as physical punishment (a variable that kept a close and direct relationship with CPV in both models).…”

“…Among the family factors, exposure to domestic violence (e.g., Contreras & Cano, 2016;Ibabe, Jaureguizar, & Díaz, 2009) and direct victimization (e.g., Boxer et al, 2009;Gallego, Novo, Fariña, & Arce, 2019;Kennair & Mellor, 2007) are risk factors. In this sense, the relationship between interparental conflict and CPV has also been identified (e.g., Gelvan de Veinsten, 2004).…”

Assessing Risk and Protective Factors in Clinical and Judicial Child-to-Parent Violence Cases

“…This bidirectionality has been described in a third of the cases referred to court, with judicial CPV offenders having been victims or witnesses in up to 80% of these cases (Ibabe et al, 2009). Parent-to-child violence has also been shown to be a consistent predictor of CPV in previous research (Gallego et al, 2019). This first finding was confirmed in our judicial sample (with it having been five times more probable to be a victim at home), and 50% of the full sample had been a victim or witness of violence (violence between parents was 11 times more probable among judicial cases).…”

“…Indeed, direct exposure to violence in the home, as well as indirect exposure (witnessing violence between parents or between other family members) have been correlated with CPV (Boxer, Gullan, & Mahoney, 2009;Contreras & Cano, 2016;Gamez-Guadix, Jaureguizar, Almendros, & Carrobles, 2012;Routt & Anderson, 2011). A recent meta-analytic review (Gallego, Novo, Fariña, & Arce, 2019) found that the risk of developing CPV among children victimized by their parents increased 71% as compared to non-victimized children. This supports the idea that both direct victimization of children as well as exposure to vicarious violence are significant predictors of CPV.…”