Interaction of Psychopathic Traits Dimensions in the Prediction of Psychological and Physical Child-to-Parent Violence in Adolescents

Joana Del Hoyo-Bilbao,Izaskun Orue,Esther Calvete

doi:10.1007/s10862-021-09940-w

Joana Del Hoyo-Bilbao, Izaskun Orue + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-021-09940-w

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Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal relationships between three psychopathic trait dimensions (callous-unemotional, CU; grandiose-manipulative, GM; and impulsive-irresponsible, II) and their interaction in the prediction of psychological and physical child-to-parent violence (CPV). Furthermore, the study examined whether the predictive relationships were different for boys and girls. A total of 765 adolescents (463 girls), with a mean age of 15.28 years (SD = 1.04), completed measures of the psychopathic trait dimensions (CU, GM, and II) and psychological and physical CPV at the beginning of the study and six months later. At the cross-sectional level, all the psychopathic trait dimensions were related to psychological and physical CPV, although the effect sizes were small. At the longitudinal level, II predicted increased psychological CPV. A significant three-way interaction between the three psychopathic trait dimensions (CU, GM, and II) indicated that the longitudinal association between II and physical CPV was higher for adolescents with high CU and low GM. However, the predictive model did not differ for boys and girls.

Highlights

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a type of family violence characterized by repeated physical, psychological, or economic violence directed toward one’s parents or those who fill parenting roles (Pereira et al, 2017)
There were no differences between girls and boys in physical CPV at Time 2 (T2) (d = 0.08)
This study examined the longitudinal relationships between psychopathic trait dimensions (GM, CU, and II) and psychological and physical CPV in adolescents

Summary

Introduction

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a type of family violence characterized by repeated physical, psychological (verbal or non-verbal), or economic violence directed toward one’s parents or those who fill parenting roles (Pereira et al, 2017). In a recent review study, the authors concluded that CPV often appears to be part of a pattern of antisocial or aggressive behavior, in which adolescents who are aggressive toward their parents tend to display aggressive behavior in general (Simmons et al, 2018). They highlighted that there is limited information on the role of individual characteristics, such as cognitive and emotional factors, relevant in general aggressive behavior regarding CPV

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