Child-to-parent violence - a cross-sectional study

Family violence is a central field of interest in crime research. Intimate partner violence and violence against children have been the main focus in this research field, but over the past decade, there has been an increase in the research on violence and abuse committed by youths against their parents. Child-to-parent violence (CPV) constitutes a significant problem that can result in serious consequences in the form of both physical and mental ill-health.

The first objective of this project is to study the prevalence of different types of CPV among Swedish youth in secondary and upper-secondary education. Cross-sectional studies of CPV based on broad samples of youths are relatively uncommon in an international perspective and no Swedish/Nordic studies of this kind have been conducted. The second objective is to examine theoretical aspects of CPV where the existing research is at present insufficient. This will include examining the significance of cognitive and personality-related factors that have been shown to be important in relation to other forms of family violence (such as self-control, self-esteem and moral norms), as well as the significance of certain socio-cultural factors (social status and ethnicity). We will also be studying situational factors and motives associated with CPV.

The project will be based on a school survey among youths aged 14–19 years. The survey will be conducted in a number of municipalities in the county of Skåne – and a total of 6,000 youths are expected to participate. The survey will employ an anonymous web-based questionnaire, which will include items covering several different areas, including experiences of different types of CPV, the youths’ social background, their relations with their parents, psychological and personality-related factors, mental health and substance use.

By focusing attention on and studying CPV, our hope is to contribute to the development of prevention measures and support initiatives.