Youth Impulsivity as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Parental Punitive Discipline and Child-to-Parent Violence

While recent studies have begun to investigate the interaction between individual characteristics and parenting practices in the development of child-to-parent violence, empirical evidence remains limited, particularly among young adults. This study examines the role of youth impulsivity as a moderator of the relationship between parental punitive discipline and child-to-parent violence. The sample consisted of 1041 young adults (51.1% women, 48.9% men), aged between 18 and 25 years (Mage = 21.41, SD = 1.94), who lived with their parents. Participants completed the Child-to-Parent Violence Questionnaire, the Inventory of Parental Discipline Methods, and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale. Results indicated that parental punitive discipline and impulsivity were positively associated with violence toward both fathers and mothers. Impulsivity moderated only the relationship between punitive maternal discipline and child-to-parent violence (toward both the father and the mother). Specifically, this effect was stronger at higher levels of impulsivity. These findings highlight the importance of considering both individual traits and parental practices, as well as their interaction, in understanding child-to-parent violence during emerging adulthood. They also have important theoretical and practical implications for prevention and intervention.