A test of explanations for the effect of harsh parenting on the perpetration of dating violence and sexual coercion among college males.
This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) with a sample of 760 college males to test various hypotheses regarding the avenues whereby harsh corporal punishment and a troubled relationship with parents increase the risk that a boy will grow up to engage in sexual coercion and dating violence. We found that three variables--a general antisocial orientation, sexually permissive attitudes, and believing that violence is a legitimate component of romantic relationships--mediated most of the association between negative parenting and our two outcomes. In addition to this indirect influence, we found that harsh corporal punishment had a direct effect upon dating violence. The findings are discussed with regard to various theoretical perspectives regarding the manner in which family of origin experiences increase the chances that a young man will direct violence toward a romantic partner.
Simons
Leslie Gordon
LG
Department of Child and Family Development, University of Georgia, USA. lgsimons@uga.edu
Burt
Callie Harbin
CH
Simons
Ronald L
RL
D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D003068:Coercion; D003380:Courtship; D017579:Domestic Violence; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011678:Punishment; D011902:Rape; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires