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Experiences With Parental Aggression During Childhood and Self-Concept in Adulthood: The Importance of Subjective Perceptions

NCJ Number
203029
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 18 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 361-367
Author(s)
Carrie L. Giant; Lesa Rae Vartanian
Date Published
December 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined adults' (n=119) perceptions of the abusiveness of their parents' aggressive behaviors during childhood as a predictor of current self-concept.
Abstract
The 119 participants were students enrolled in introductory psychology classes at a Midwestern university. The sample consisted of 83 females and 36 males with a mean age of 22.6 years. A modified version of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale was administered to the sample to obtain retrospective reports of experiences with aggressive parental behaviors. The five subscales focus on nonviolent discipline, psychological aggression, corporal punishment, severe physical assault, and very severe physical assault. The questionnaire was revised to consist of three five-point rating scales for each parental action. Current self-concept was measured with the Self-Perception Profile for College Students. It contains 54 items that pertain to perceived competence across a number of domains, as well as a measure of global self-worth or overall satisfaction with the self. The findings show that participants' perception of their parents' aggressive behaviors was a more important predictor of self-concept than was the frequency with which those aggressive parental behaviors occurred. Thus, how individuals characterize their experiences with parental aggression should be taken into account when examining the psychological effects of aggressive parental behaviors. 21 references