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Responses of physically abused boys to interadult anger involving their mothers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2008

E. Mark Cummings ,
Kevin D. Hennessy ,
Gerald J. Rabideau  and
Dante Cicchetti
E. Mark Cummings*
Affiliation:
West Virginia University
Kevin D. Hennessy
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
Gerald J. Rabideau
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
Dante Cicchetti*
Affiliation:
Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: E. Mark Cummings, Department of Psychology, Oglebay Hall, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6040
Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, 187 Edinburgh Street, Rochester, NY 14608.
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Abstract

This study reports observationally based assessments of the responses of physically abused and nonabused boys to interadult anger involving their mothers. Physically abused boys were more behaviorally reactive to interadult anger than comparison subjects, evidencing more problem-focused coping behaviors and greater aggressiveness. Thus, rather than habituating to others' hostility due to their history of exposure to familial violence, abused children appeared more aroused and angered by it and more motivated to intervene. As the matched low-socioeconomic status nonmaltreated sample was also exposed to interparent physical aggression, the results suggest that greater anger and aggression across multiple family subsystems (parent-child, interparental) may have cumulative effects. The study thus advances knowledge toward a more specific process-based understanding of relations between history of family conflict and child outcomes.

Type
Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , Winter 1994 , pp. 31 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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