The development of parent-directed aggression in childhood

Parent-directed aggression often emerges in childhood, yet research is currently limited to adolescence. Early-onset parent-directed aggression (i.e., beginning in childhood as opposed to adolescence) may be that which uniquely persists and generalises into adult relationships. It is therefore critical to understand early onset parent-directed aggression to prevent the intergenerational transmission of family violence. Drawing on the Harshness-Unpredictability model and applying this within dynamic systems and family systems frameworks, this paper proposes a model of early-onset parent-directed aggression that is specific to behavioral development in childhood. We argue that early-onset parent-directed aggression emerges in harsh, unpredictable family systems, via escalating negative parent-child interactions which are exacerbated by child mental health and child-parent attachment.