Profiles of Adolescents Involved in Child-to-Parent Violence and Their Association with Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a significant issue that causes considerable suffering for those involved. Although CPV remains an understudied form of violence, previous research has identified numerous individual and family risk factors associated with it. Unlike previous research that has largely adopted a variable-centered approach, this study employed a person-centered approach to CPV, aiming to identify distinct adolescent profiles based on their involvement in CPV. Additionally, the study explored differences between these profiles across a range of variables, including traditional CPV risk factors as well as problematic online behaviors. The sample included 863 adolescents (ages 11-17, 49.8% girls). Participants completed measures assessing CPV, exposure to family violence, emotional and behavioral problems, and problematic online behaviors (e.g., problematic online gaming and gambling). Latent profile analysis supported a four-profile solution: a non-violent profile; a profile with moderate psychological CPV and high exposure to family violence; a profile characterized by economic CPV and absence of family violence exposure; and a profile involving severe CPV and exposure to family violence. Adolescents in the profiles exhibiting CPV presented higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems, including problematic online behaviors. Notable differences also emerged between the profiles. For instance, the two profiles involving exposure to family violence reported higher levels of internalizing problems, whereas the economic CPV profile was marked by high instrumental aggression. The findings reveal the existence of distinct adolescent profiles in the context of CPV. The implications of these profiles for intervention strategies are discussed.