Child-to-parent violence and parent mental health: A systematic review

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a unique form of externalising behaviour which is prevalent and destructive, yet there are very few evidence-based interventions to address CPV available. Parent mental health may be related to the experience of CPV, and may be a possible intervention target; however, evidence to support these links, and the directionality of potential links, is currently unclear. This study aimed to systematically review studies measuring parent mental health and experience of CPV. Eleven studies which met the inclusion criteria were identified through systematic searches of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SOCI Index, Scopus, and EMBASE databases. Study quality was assessed using the Cambridge Quality Checklists. Included studies suggest that parent symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety, self-efficacy, impulsivity, and experience of trauma may be positively related to the experience of CPV; however, findings regarding depression and anxiety symptoms are mixed. There is a dearth of research to draw on and limited replication between these studies, highlighting the need for further research to understand the mental health impact of CPV on parents (particularly those related to trauma), how the onset and maintenance of CPV may be related to parent mental health, and to determine the role of addressing parent mental health in interventions for CPV.