Characteristics of Parenting Associated with Adolescent to Parent Aggression
Introduction
Research has indicated there may be over a million cases of
adolescent to parent violence each year in the United
States (Agnew & Hugley, 1989).
Harbin and Madden were the first to publish an article highlighting
adolescent physical abuse of parents in 1979.
The Literature has indicated a tendency for the adolescents to be
Caucasian and from middle or upper class homes.
(Agnew & Hugley, 1989; Charles, 1986; Cornell & Gelles, 1982;
Hartz, 1995; Livingston, 1986; Nock & Kazdin, 2002; Paulson et
al., 1990; Straus & Gelles, 1999).
The research has been inconsistent regarding whether male or
female adolescents are more likely to be aggressive toward
parents. (Agnew & Hugley, 1989; Browne & Hamilton, 1998;
Charles, 1986; Cornell & Gelles, 1982; Evans and WarrenSolhberg, 1988; Harbin & Madden, 1979; Kumagai, 1985;
Langhinrichsen-Rohling & Neidig, 1995; Nock & Kazdin, 2002;
Paulson et al., 1990).
Jessica Jablonski, Psy.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Richard Stockton College of NJ
Method
Sample 1: A convenience sample was obtained from
a small, private Catholic college. The sample
consisted of 52 students (17-21 years old) who
completed questionnaires about the parenting
they received including parents’ consistency of
discipline and use of positive reinforcement
for good behavior, as well as any aggression
they may have exhibited toward a parent
(including both verbal and physical).
The sample consisted of 76.9% female, 80.8%
White, 9.6% Asian, 7.7% Black, and 1.9%
Latino.
Mothers tended to be the more likely target rather than fathers.
(Agnew & Hugley, 1989; Browne & Hamilton, 1998; Cornell &
Gelles, 1982; Evans and Warren-Solhberg, 1988; Hartz, 1995;
Kratcoski & Kratcoski, 1982; Kumagai, 1985; Libon, 1988; Nock &
Kazdin, 2002; Pagelow, 1989; Paulson et al., 1990).
Only 11.8 % of the sample reported their parents’
annual income to be less than $25,000, 13.7%
reported their parents’ income as greater than
$100,000, and the remaining participants
reported to be somewhere in between.
For the most part, research on adolescent to parent aggression has
not been grounded in theory, and has focused on family
demographic variables rather than relational factors.
Nearly 52% of the sample reported they were raised
by both parents, and about 31% were raised by
their mother only.
This study uses Coercion Theory, a widely accepted current theory
from the literature on adolescent generalized antisocial
behavior, to investigate adolescent to parent aggression in
order to provide a more complete understanding of this
specific type of adolescent aggression. (Larzelere &
Patterson, 1990)
Sample 2: A convenience sample was obtained from
a larger, public college in New Jersey. The
sample consisted of 182 students (17-24 years
old) who completed the same questionnaires.
Coercion Theory describes a reciprocal, gradual process whereby a
child exhibits some minor deviant behavior and the parents
unintentionally reinforce it or do not carry out consistent
discipline. In addition, parents of antisocial children tend
not to reinforce prosocial behavior. Once this pattern
begins, the child learns that exhibiting antisocial behavior
works to get him what he wants. His behavior worsens in
such a way that coerces the parent into giving up and
complying with the child's inappropriate demands.
In one of Patterson and his colleagues’ publications, they mention
that with longer durations of coercive episodes between
the parent and child, there is a greater likelihood for
physical aggression between the parent and child.
However, they have not focused research attention on this
specific issue (Reid et al., 2002).
The sample consisted of 73.6% female, 81.3%
White, 8.2% Black, 4.4% Latino, 2.7% Asian,
1.1% Middle Eastern; and 2.2% identifying as
Other.
Only 7.6% of the sample reported their parents’
annual income to be less than $25,000, 20.3%
reported their parents’ income as greater than
$100,000, and the remaining participants
reported to be somewhere in between.
Nearly 50% of the sample reported they were raised
by both parents; about 45% were raised by
their mother; and the remaining reported either
living with father only or with step-parents.
Results
The more inconsistent the discipline, the greater the
adolescent to parent aggression.
The less parents used positive reinforcement for good
behavior, the greater the adolescent to parent
aggression.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Adolescent to Parent Aggression
Consistency of Discipline
r = .275
r = .269
p =.048
p =.000
n = 52
n = 182
Parents’ Use of Positive Reinforcement
r = -.278
p =.046
n = 52
r = -.189
p =.010
n = 182
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Conclusions
The major contribution of this study is the connection
made between Coercion Theory and Adolescent to
Parent Aggression in order to provide a more complete
understanding of this specific type of adolescent
aggressive behavior.
Having a larger theoretical framework in which to view this
family problem may provide better case
conceptualization for treatment of these families, and
offer concrete ways to train parents to interact with
their child to prevent or interrupt this coercive pattern
of relating.
Directions for Future Research
Using an adolescent sample instead of relying on
retrospective recall of young adults.
Comparing parents’ responses on the same scales to
look for consistency between adolescent and parent
reports.
Utilizing a larger, more diverse sample to determine
gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status
differences, as well as possible differences between
single-parent and two-parent homes.
Quasi-Experimental design to determine more than just a
general relationship between the variables.