Verbal Aggression by Parents and Psychosocial Problems of Children

• NCJ Number: 129331
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 223-238
• Author(s): Y M Vissing; M A Straus; R J Gelles; J W Harrop
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01MH40027; T32MH15161
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS), which measures levels of reasoning, verbal aggression, and physical aggression used in interpersonal conflict, was used to study the relationships of a nationally representative sample of 3,346 American parents with their children under the age of 18 and living at home.

Abstract

The findings show that 63 percent reported at least one instance of verbal aggression including swearing and insults to the child. Children who experienced frequent verbal aggression from their parents exhibited higher levels than other children of psychosocial problems categorized as physical aggression, delinquency, and interpersonal problems. These findings applied to children in preschool, elementary school, and high school; to boys and girls; and to children who were and were not physically punished. Children who were both physically punished and verbally abused exhibited the highest rates of psychosocial problems. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 62 references (Author abstract modified)