Physical and verbal aggression in single parent families versus two parent families: The moderator effect of the children´s

Abstract

This study analysed the relationship between family structure (single parent divorced versus two parent family) and child aggressive behavior in a sample of 224 participants (44.2% male) between 8 and 14 years of age. Socioeconomic and educational levels of parents, number of siblings and birth order, age and gender of the children were controlled for. Results showed that Spanish male children and adolescents of single parent families are more aggressive, both in a physical and verbal way, than those of two parent families. The relationship between family structure and aggression was moderated by the gender of the children. The differences in aggressive behavior between children of single parent families resulting from divorce and two parent families were present in male but not in female children.