Emerging Adult Antisocial Problems and Psychological and Physical Maltreatment: Moderation by Other Parent-Child Relationship Quality

Abstract

Current research supports that both psychological/physical maltreatment by parents and parent-child relationship quality strongly correlate with children’s psychopathology. Less research has examined the interaction effects among these variables, especially in emerging adults. The current study analyzed the association between psychological/physical maltreatment experienced from one parent and antisocial behaviors displayed by emerging adults, as well as the moderating effect of the other parent’s parent-child relationship quality. This sample included 1,364 emerging adults (953 females, 411 males) who reported on past year psychological and physical maltreatment and parent-child relationship quality. Results indicated that, when considered together, parent-child relationship quality was a stronger predictor of emerging antisocial problems than maltreatment, with the exception of the father-son dyad. Additionally, overall findings suggested that having a high-quality relationship with one caregiver was associated with lower antisocial problems in the context of high maltreatment from the other caregiver. Nevertheless, there were deviations from this norm. Unexpectedly, the lowest antisocial problems in females were associated with higher levels of paternal physical maltreatment combined with higher levels of maternal parent-child relationship quality. Moreover, the combination of low paternal psychological maltreatment and low maternal relationship quality was associated with particularly high antisocial problems in males. It is important to note the findings in the context of this sample of college students, who could be considered an advantaged group relative to some others. Since our sample might not represent our entire population of interest, which is emerging adults, it is important for future studies to examine these relationships across more diverse emerging adults. Practical implications are discussed.

Childhood exposure to parental threatening behaviors and anxiety in emerging adulthood: Indirect effects of perceived stress

“…Compared to fathers, mothers report greater use of harsh verbal discipline toward their child (Wang & Kenny, 2014). Rates of psychological maltreatment are also consistently higher in mothers than fathers (Cui et al, 2016; Villanueva van den Hurk & McKinney, 2022). On the other hand, rates of physical maltreatment are mixed, with some studies finding higher rates in fathers (Cui et al, 2016), higher rates in mothers (Chang et al, 2008; Cui et al, 2016; Villanueva van den Hurk & McKinney, 2022), or comparable rates between parents (Cui et al, 2018).…”

“…Rates of psychological maltreatment are also consistently higher in mothers than fathers (Cui et al, 2016; Villanueva van den Hurk & McKinney, 2022). On the other hand, rates of physical maltreatment are mixed, with some studies finding higher rates in fathers (Cui et al, 2016), higher rates in mothers (Chang et al, 2008; Cui et al, 2016; Villanueva van den Hurk & McKinney, 2022), or comparable rates between parents (Cui et al, 2018). Given that psychological maltreatment is more strongly associated with later mental health problems in adulthood than is physical maltreatment (Kisely et al, 2018), there may be stronger links between maternal threatening behaviors and psychological outcomes (i.e., perceived stress, anxiety).…”