Differential Susceptibility or Diathesis-Stress: Testing the Moderating Role of Temperament and Cortisol Levels between Fathers’ Parenting and Children’s Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

Aggression is a multidimensional behavior that could be caused by different biopsychosocial variables. The aim of this study was to explore whether temperament, cortisol and sex moderate the relation between fathers’ parenting style and aggressive behavior in school-aged children, and whether this corresponds to differential susceptibility or diathesis-stress. Participants were 158 children (88 boys and 70 girls) aged 8 years. Aggressive behavior was measured using the Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale and fathers informed about their child’s temperament and their own parenting style through the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (respectively). Children’s’ baseline saliva cortisol levels were analyzed through an enzyme immunoassay technique. The results revealed that high cortisol levels moderated the relation between fathers’ low levels of authoritative parenting and boys’ aggression. Moreover, high negative emotionality moderated the relation between permissive paternal parenting and girls’ aggressive behavior, with both these relations being consistent with the diathesis-stress theory.

A person-centered approach to resilience and vulnerability in emerging adulthood: Predictions from parenting and personality in adolescence

“…The finding that emerging adults in the Resilient profile were distinguished by a combination of positive parenting of mothers and lower emotional stability and conscientiousness might seem puzzling. However, this pattern of findings aligns with the growing understanding that parenting behaviors and children's personalities interact in predicting developmental outcomes, exacerbating or buffering their effects (e.g., Loginova, & Slobodskaya, 2021;Pascual-Sagastizabal et al, 2021;Rioux et al, 2016). More specifically, in our study positive parenting behaviors of mothers may have buffered the potential negative effects of lower emotional stability and lower conscientiousness in the Resilient group.…”

Dimensions of Pathological Aggression: From Neurobiology to Therapy

“…Akkoc and colleagues pointed out that functional activity in the inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule was enhanced during this competitive interaction in males whose hormonal levels were exogenously manipulated [1]. In a second paper on the hormone-aggression relationship, Pascual-Sagastizabal, del Puerto-Golzarri and Azurmendi showed that endogenous cortisol levels moderate authoritative parenting in fathers and aggression in their sons [2]. In contrast, permissive paternal parenting and girls' aggressive behavior was moderated by negative emotionality.…”

Does surgency moderate the relationship between parenting and children's aggression in middle childhood?

“…It even seems that interventions in later stages, such as adolescence, could, in some cases, end up exacerbating rather than reducing these behavioural problems (Jackson & Ellis, 2009; Tremblay, 2008). Furthermore, empirical evidence on sex differences suggests that boys are more physically and verbally aggressive than girls (Archer & Côte, 2005; Pascual‐Sagastizabal et al, 2021; Sánchez‐Martin et al, 2011). Although sex differences in indirect aggression are not so clear, some studies have reported a higher frequency in girls than in boys (Eisner & Malti, 2015).…”

“…Most researchers interested in exploring how parenting practices affect children's behaviour have only taken maternal practices into account, with paternal practices being largely overlooked despite fathers’ increased involvement in raising their children (Braza et al, 2015; Pascual‐Sagastizabal et al, 2021; Ren & Zhang, 2018; Reuben et al, 2016). However, there is some empirical evidence to suggest that mothers and fathers may have a differential influence on their children's behaviour; moreover, this influence seems to be different for boys and girls and may vary throughout development (Rinaldi & Howe, 2012; Tavassolie et al, 2016).…”

“…Most researchers interested in exploring how parenting practices affect children's behaviour have only taken maternal practices into account, with paternal practices being largely overlooked despite fathers' increased involvement in raising their children (Braza et al, 2015;Pascual-Sagastizabal et al, 2021;Ren & Zhang, 2018;Reuben et al, 2016).…”