Exploratory Effects of Social Support, Stress and Locus of Control on the Conflict Tactics of Parents At-Risk for Child Maltreatment

AbstractUsing a sample of 112 adults, this study examined whether the type or conflict tactics used by a parent toward his/her child was related to locus of control orientation, amount and intensity of daily hassles, and amount and type of social support received. Statistical analyses included the Pearsonian correlation coefficient, the analysis of variance and the t test. The results suggested that social support was most influential on reasoning tactics. Verbal aggression and violence were directly affected by the frequency of hassles. An important finding was the independent effects the frequency and intensity of hassles had on conflict tactics.