Psychosocial Profile of Juvenile and Adult Offenders Who Acknowledge Having Committed Child-to-Parent Violence

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to establish the psychosocial profile of adolescents and adults who have admitted to committing child-to-parent violence (CPV) and were serving a judicial sanction or prison sentence, respectively. Two groups of participants took part in this study. The first group was made up of 89 male youths who were serving judicial sanctions, and the second group was made up of 70 men serving a prison sentence. A cross-sectional retrospective design with concurrent measurements was used in this study. Group differences in the exposure-to-violence variables were conducted. Automatic regression models were used to estimate a self-reported CPV. In relation to the variables of indirect exposure to violence, statistically significant differences between those who admitted having committed CPV and those who did not, irrespective of being adults or adolescents, were found for seeing violence in class and at home but not for seeing violence on the street or on television. Regarding the variables related to experiencing violence, the results showed statistically significant differences in experiencing violence at home but not in class or on the street. The best predictive model of CPV includes some of the dimensions of self-concept, specifically academic and family self-concept, as well as the avoidant and rational problem-solving styles and the negative orientation toward problems. The results have shown the existence of a CPV offender profile that is common to minors and adults.

A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Dynamic Risk Factors for Emerging Adults who Abuse their Parents

“…As expected, exposure to domestic violence, especially victimization, was found to be a relevant risk factor for CPA. It is consistent with previous findings that domestic violence increases the risk of CPA towards either parent (Martín et al, 2022 ; Simmons et al, 2020 ). Moreover, it is a well-known predictor for criminal behavior in general (Andrews et al, 2006 ; Martín et al, 2022 ).…”

“…It is consistent with previous findings that domestic violence increases the risk of CPA towards either parent (Martín et al, 2022 ; Simmons et al, 2020 ). Moreover, it is a well-known predictor for criminal behavior in general (Andrews et al, 2006 ; Martín et al, 2022 ). As for a potential reciprocal effect between (current) child abuse and CPA, more research is needed on possible transference from a unidirectional into a bidirectional relationship between these types of abuse (Gallego et al, 2019 ; Martín et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Having trouble relating to the feelings of others may negatively impact the inhibition of abusive behavior or the quality of the parent–child relationship. This concurs with recent findings by Martín et al ( 2020 ) in both adolescents and adults, but it contradicts results from the Contreras’ et al ( 2020 ) study in adolescents. The limited available data could account for the lack of associations between CPA on the one hand and communication problems, substance abuse, narcissism and self-esteem problems on the other.…”

“…Over time, the negative effect of witnessing DV might diminish as emerging adults spend more time elsewhere, with peers or may feel less powerless to change their situation (Goodman et al, 2015 ). Age not being a relevant risk factor or moderator for all but one of the incorporated risk factors (namely witness to DV) concurs with recent findings by Martín et al ( 2022 ), suggesting that adolescents and emerging adults might have an overlapping CPA perpetrator profile. Although living in a single-parent household was not significantly related to CPA, the relation proved to be moderated by gender of victim.…”

“…Moreover, it is a well-known predictor for criminal behavior in general (Andrews et al, 2006 ; Martín et al, 2022 ). As for a potential reciprocal effect between (current) child abuse and CPA, more research is needed on possible transference from a unidirectional into a bidirectional relationship between these types of abuse (Gallego et al, 2019 ; Martín et al, 2022 ). Victimization can also indirectly contribute to the risk of CPA by giving rise to antisocial (pro-aggressive) cognitions or decrease the willingness to accept authority from parents or any authority figure (Browne & Hamilton, 1998 ).…”