Citation

Muller RT, Diamond T. Can. J. Behav. Sci. 1999; 31(4): 221-228.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Canadian Psychological Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1037/h0087091

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research in developmental psychopathology has not adequately examined the role of fathers in abuse, nor has it adequately examined the effects of abuse on girls. This study was an investigation of physical child abuse from fathers and mothers in the prediction of aggressive behavior among boys as well as girls. The participants consisted of 1,536 parents and their 983 college-age children. A parallel 2-generation, cross-sectional design was utilized.

RESULTS indicated that physical abuse from fathers and from mothers emerged as significant and additive predictors of aggressive behavior among boys as well as girls. The results point to the important role fathers appear to play in the adaptive and maladaptive functioning of their children. The results also suggest that child maltreatment should be examined within the context of the family unit or microsystem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

Aggressive Behavior; Child Abuse; Development; Fathers; Human Sex Differences; Mothers; Parental Characteristics; Parents; Physical Abuse; Prediction