Child-to-Parent Violence: Frequency and Family Correlates

Using a retrospective design, we examined verbal and physical child-to-parent violence (CPV) in terms of frequency and family correlates. Results from 365 university students revealed low frequencies of CPV, with higher means for child-to-mother violence. Regressions showed that ethnicity (African-Canadian and Middle Eastern) and, surprisingly, lower positive discipline were associated with less verbal CPV for both parents. Greater psychological aggression predicted greater mother-directed verbal violence, whereas more spanking, and the presence of child physical abuse and physical intimate partner violence were associated with mother-directed physical violence. Finally, verbal intimate partner violence between parents predicted children’s verbal violence towards mothers and fathers. Findings indicate that certain variables may place families at risk for CPV and, in this way, help inform interventions.