Aversive Parenting in China: Associations With Child Physical and Relational Aggression.

Nelson, David A.; Hart, Craig H.; Yang, Chongming; Olsen, Joseph A.; Jin, Shenghua

This study assessed the combined and differential contributions of Chinese mothers and fathers (in terms of spouse-reported physically coercive and psychologically controlling parenting) to the development of peer-reported physical and relational aggression in their preschool-age children (mean age of 5 years). Results of the two-group (boys and girls) latent sum and difference structural equation model showed that combined parenting effects were slightly more prevalent than differential effects in predicting aggression. Furthermore, physical coercion was predictive of aggression in boys whereas psychological control was primarily associated with aggression in girls. Findings extend our understanding of relational aggression and the meaning of aversive parenting, particularly within the Chinese cultural context.

PARENTING; PRESCHOOL children; AGGRESSION (Psychology) in children; CHILD rearing; TODDLERS; CHILD psychology; CONDUCT disorders in children

Child Development, 2006, Vol 77, Issue 3, p554

0009-3920

Academic Journal

10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00890.x