Multidimensional Factors Related to Engagement in Child-to-Parent Violence among Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: Child-to-parent violence (CPV) has received increasing attention because of the growing response from parents. This study examined the rates of various CPV types and the reasons underlying why adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) engage in CPV and examined the associations of multidimensional factors with CPV in adolescents with ADHD. Method: In total, 247 adolescents with ADHD and their parents participated in the study. The types (including psychological aggression, physical aggression, financial demand, and control or domination) and instrumental and reactive reasons of CPV, individual factors (demographic characteristics, ADHD symptoms, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, self-esteem, and social information processing [SIP] during conflict), parent–child interaction factors (parenting styles and parent-to-child violence), and family factors (violence among adult family members) were collected. Results: In total, 78.9% of adolescents with ADHD engaged in CPV in the year preceding their evaluation. Both instrumental and reactive reasons were reported for CPV. Aggression response of SIP (p = .003) and parent-to-child violence (p < .001) were positively associated with psychological aggression. Externalizing behavior problems were positively associated with physical aggression (p < .001) and financial demand (p = .001). Finally, externalizing behavior problems (p = .001), aggression response of SIP (p = .001), and violence among adult family members (p = .006) were positively associated with control or domination. Conclusion: Many adolescents with ADHD had engaged in CPV. Multiple individual, parent–child interaction, and family factors were significantly correlated with CPV.