Pathways From Family Violence to Adolescent Violence: Examining the Mediating Mechanisms

Abstract

PurposePast research has documented a significant relationship between family violence and adolescent violence. However, much is unknown about the processes through which this association occurs, especially in the non-Western cultural context. To address this gap, we propose an integrated model encompassing multiple pathways that connect family violence to adolescent violence. Specifically, this study investigates how family violence is related to adolescent violence through violent peer association, normative beliefs about violence, and negative emotions.MethodWe tested the model using the two-wave survey data collected from a probability sample of more than 1,100 adolescents residing in one of the largest metropolitan areas in China in 2015 to 2016.Results and ConclusionsThe results indicated that family violence predicted adolescent violence perpetration. Violent peer association, normative beliefs, and negative emotions, however, mediated much of the relationship between family violence and adolescent violence.

Early Onset Delinquency and Violent Delinquency in Adolescence: The Role of Abusive Parents and Delinquent Peer Associations

“…Young people who associate with antisocial peers are statistically and significantly more likely to engage in antisocial behavior throughout adolescence (Arriaga & Foshee, 2004; Dishion et al, 2010; Gallupe et al, 2019; Haggerty et al, 2013; Lansford et al, 2020; Li et al, 2021; Monahan et al, 2009; Seddig, 2014; Warr, 1993). The theoretical perspectives of differential association theory (Sutherland, 1947) and social learning theory (Akers et al, 1979) suggest that adolescents who associate with delinquent peers are exposed to definitions favorable to antisocial behavior.…”

“…Exposure to delinquent peers is related to increase in perpetrating school violence among Korean youth (Hong et al, 2017). Similarly, violent peer affiliation is a significant predictor for Chinese youth’s violence (Li et al, 2021). While there is a well-established relationship between associations with delinquent peers and antisocial behavioral outcomes, there is a lack of research on whether delinquent peers exacerbate the effect of early onset delinquency on later violence.…”

“…Further research may also be able to partly explain the past mixed findings on the topic (Jolliffe et al, 2017; Tzoumakis et al, 2013; van Domburgh et al, 2009). In the current study, we focus on addressing whether the relationship between early onset delinquency and violence is modified by two well-regarded risk factors for crime and delinquency: parental abuse (Doelman et al, 2021; Farrington, 2010; Fitton et al, 2020; Lansford et al, 2007; Maxfield & Widom, 1996; Smith & Thornberry, 1995) and associations with delinquent peers (Arriaga & Foshee, 2004; Dishion et al, 2010; Gallupe et al, 2019; Haggerty et al, 2013; Lansford et al, 2020; Li et al, 2021; Monahan et al, 2009; Seddig, 2014; Warr, 1993). Past research highlights that young people who engage in delinquency at an early age are more likely to come from disadvantaged home environments and associate with other adolescents who engage in delinquency (DeLisi et al, 2013; Moffitt, 1993).…”

Violencia familiar en el comportamiento académico reactivo adolescente: una revisión sistemática

“…y aprendizaje; el mismo que genera desadaptación social y psicológica (Pina et al, 2022). Estas se encuentran asociadas a la prolongada exposición de violencia (Perry et al, 2021); los estudios sobre violencia familiar han reflejado su injerencia en problemas académicos que imposibilitan el correcto desarrollo del adolescente (S. D. Li et al, 2021) y conlleva a la práctica de actitudes violentas junto con problemas psicosociales (Tapullima-Mori et al, 2023).…”

“…Además, revisiones recientes han explorado la exposición a la violencia en múltiples escenarios como predictores de las conductas reactivas en los adolescentes (Chong et al, 2022;S. D. Li et al, 2021;X.…”