Parental violence. Gender differences.
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Abstract
Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a complex phenomenon of increasing relevance in the fields of psychology, education, and social intervention. In recent decades, the rise in reported cases, greater media visibility, and growing scientific interest have highlighted the need to thoroughly examine the factors associated with this specific form of intrafamilial violence. Studies conducted with community samples of adolescents show that, unlike findings from judicial or child protection contexts, girls display a higher prevalence of aggressive behaviours toward parents, particularly psychological and occasional forms of aggression. Regarding the parent targeted, prevalence rates are similar for fathers and mothers, although a higher proportion of frequent aggression is directed toward mothers. This greater maternal victimisation may be explained by mothers' predominant role in rule enforcement and caregiving responsibilities within the family context. Overall, these findings emphasise the importance of considering sample context and family dynamics when analysing child-to-parent violence.