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Intergenerational transmission of violent behavior in adolescent males
Author(s) -
Truscott Derek
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1992)18:5<327::aid-ab2480180502>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - psychology , minnesota multiphasic personality inventory , poison control , injury prevention , personality , clinical psychology , human factors and ergonomics , suicide prevention , developmental psychology , psychiatry , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology
The purpose of this study was to examine the intergenerational influence of experiencing parental violence on the expression of violent behavior in adolescent males and to attempt to assess the importance of psychological mechanisms in this transmission. Sixty‐five consecutive male admissions to a Young Offenders Unit and 25 male high school boys were administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Culture‐Free‐Self‐Esteem Inventory, an intelligence test, and a violence questionnaire. Violent behavior in adolescence was found to be associated with experiencing paternal violence. This transmission was also found to be associated with higher levels of psychotic symptomatology. Violent behavior in adolescence was not found to be associated with maternal violence experienced or parental violence witnessed or with low self‐esteem, externalizing defences, or internalizing defences. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.