Patterns of Family Harsh Parenting and the Effects of Cumulative Risks

ABSTRACT This study examines patterns of harsh parenting within families and explores the associations between cumulative risks and these patterns. Drawing on data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study collecting data from 20 large cities across the United States, latent profile analysis was utilized to identify distinct profiles of maternal and paternal harsh parenting behaviours among 2175 families with 9‐year‐old children. Three profiles were identified: the maternal harsh parenting profile (4.65%), the paternal harsh parenting with maternal psychological aggression profile (4.41%) and the low harsh parenting profile (90.94%). Maternal cumulative risks emerged as significant predictors of membership in the maternal harsh parenting profile. Boy was associated with a high possibility of being a member of both the maternal harsh parenting profile and the paternal harsh parenting with maternal psychological aggression profile. Furthermore, younger fathers were more likely to belong to the paternal harsh parenting profile with the maternal psychological aggression profile. These findings underscore the importance of considering family‐level harsh parenting patterns and cumulative risk factors in understanding harsh parenting behaviours. The results have significant implications for developing tailored interventions to address specific family parenting patterns and cumulative risk factors, ultimately improving parenting outcomes and child well‐being.