Common Risk Factors of Child-Parent Violence: What Everyone Should Know

Child-Parent violence (CPV) is an under reported aspect of family violence.  Why is it so under reported?  Unfortunately when people refer to ‘domestic violence,’ the situation of a son or daughter physically or verbally abusing their mother or father is not the first or even second thought that comes to mind.  Walsh and Keinhart (2007) wrote, “Due to gross underreporting and the secretive nature of this crime, accurate estimates of frequency and prevalence are elusive” (563).

Source:  http://wendiw.hubpages.com/hub/Parental-abuse

Cottrel (2001) wrote that CPV is an act performed by a child done to intentionally cause physical, psychological, or financial pain to gain control and power over a parent.  There is little doubt that the stigma and feelings of disappointment play a role in underreporting episodes of CPV, but the lack recognition of what CPV can also play a role. 

In an article in the Guardian (2009), a recounting of a mother being attacked by her daughter is described.  One resounding statement in the article was the mother’s disbelief of what had happened (Lewis, 2009).   Another point Lewis (2009) described was that when parents used the CPV help call center is was to confirm that the episode was truly CPV (2009). 

Clearly recognition of CPV and the risk factors is one of the first steps for families, healthcare providers, and communities in increasing reporting of CPV. 

Commons risk factors for CPV:

• Males between 10-18 are at higher risk of perpetrating CPV. 
• Single parent homes are at a higher risk.
• Mothers are more often victims then men.
• Families that children witness inter-parental violence are at higher risk.
• Children who have experienced violence from a parent is at higher risk of perpetrating violence toward a parent.
• Having a difficult child-parent relationship.
• Parents with unrealistic expectations for children and family.
• Poor or absent communication skills of parents and eventually children.
• Children that have a low frustration threshold.
• Children who have behavioral disorders are at higher risk of perpetrating violence towards a parent.
• Children that display disruptive behaviors at home and/or at School. 

Source: http://www.angelsthatcare.org/silent_abuse.html

Being cognizant of the risk factors for CPV is the first step in improving the reporting rates.  Whether you are a healthcare provider, community member, friend, family member, or victim if you recognize the risks speak up and offer assistance to those in need.

Resources:

Cottrell, B. (2001). Canada: The Family Violence Prevention Unit Health. Parent abuse: The abuse of parents by their teenage children.

Ibabe, I., Jaureguizar, J., & Bentler, P.  (2013)..  Risk Factors for Child-to-Parent Violence. Journal of Family Violence (28), 523–534.  DOI 10.1007/s10896-013-9512-2 .

Lewis, C. (2009).  The day my daughter hit me.  The Guardian.  Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/27/parental-abuse-domestic-violence.

Walsh, J. & Krienert, J. (2007).  Child–Parent Violence: An empirical analysis of offender, victim, and event characteristics in a national sample
of reported incidents.  Journal of Family Violence (22), 563–574.  DOI 10.1007/s10896-007-9108-9.