A Pattern Analysis of Adolescent Abusive Behavior toward Parents

Police case reports of formal complaints about adolescent aggression toward their parents were analyzed to answer questions about identity of complainant, gender relationships in patterns of parental abuse, age trends in assaultive behavior, reasons for adolescent-parent disputes that precipitate violence, types of violence expressed by adolescents toward their parents, and police resolution of these domestic abuse incidents. A modal pattern of male adolescent-to-mother abuse was revealed, although a sizeable number of female aggressive incidents were also observed. Most abusive incidents were associated with conflicts about home responsibilities, money, and privilege. Results are related to similar studies based solely on adolescent self-report or survey methods and are interpreted in the context of adolescent stress and family conflict theory.