The co-occurrence of husband-to-wife aggression, family-of-origin aggression, and child abuse potential in a community sample: Implications for parenting

Despite considerable research on the effects of husband-to-wife aggression, family-of-origin aggression, and child abuse potential, information is limited regarding the co-occurrence of these three family aggression factors and their impact on specific positive and negative dimensions of parenting. This article examines the separate and additive influences of these family aggression variables on mothers' and fathers' parenting in two samples of community families. Co-occurrence rates for husband-to-wife aggression and family-of-origin aggression range from 9% to 12%. Co-occurrence rates for husband-to-wife aggression and child abuse potential range from 6% to 14%, with correlations ranging from .25 to .48. Husband-to-wife aggression is associated with several categories of disrupted parenting. Comparisons of parents with zero, one, or two to three of the family aggression risk variables reveal significant group differences, particularly in parents' discipline control strategies. The discussion addresses the importance of assessing multiple family aggression factors and the implications for intervention and prevention.