Characteristics of individuals and families of adolescents in child-to-parent violence: Physical aggressiveness, cohesion within the family and interparental conflict as explanatory variables

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to analyse the differences in socio-demographic and family variables, mental health and aggressiveness in a sample of 34 adolescents immersed in dynamics of child-to-parent violence (CPV), and a control group of 81 adolescents who did not abuse their parents. Results showed the existence of differences between the groups in variables such us the level of education, family structure, levels of physical aggression and rage, cohesion, adaptability and communication within the family and interparental confl ict, but not as to levels of verbal aggression and hostility, anxiety, somatisation, panic or depression. Moreover, the results did not support the hypothesis that an early start of CPV or a longer duration of violence without treatment are associated with more serious CPV. Finally, global CPV was signifi cantly associated with higher physical aggression, less cohesion within the family and the adolescent´s higher autoperception of guilt related to the interparental conflict.