The Relationship Between Child-to-Parent Violence, Adolescent Stressors, and Emotional Security: The Moderating Role of Parental Divorce

Abstract

Introduction: Child-to-Parent Violence (CPV) is a problem of great social relevance, which maintains an exponential growth. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of adolescent stressors and emotional security in the family system as predictors of CPV (reactive and proactive), considering the moderating effect of parental divorce. Methods: A sample composed of 892 adolescents aged 14-18 years (M = 15.15; SD = 1.06), from schools in the province of Málaga (Spain) was used. They completed questionnaires assessing emotional security in the family system, stress and child-to-parent violence. Results: The results showed that emotional disengagement in the family system and adolescent stressors significantly predicted reactive and proactive CPV. Parental divorce moderated the relationship between emotional security and reactive CPV, with stronger associations in intact families. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of considering disengagement in the family system and adolescent stressors as key factors in reactive and proactive CPV, and the moderating role of parental divorce in these relationships. Interventions should focus on improving these variables.