Marie-Hélène Gagné

Predictors of Adult Attitudes Toward Corporal Punishment of Children

This study identifies predictors of favorable attitudes toward spanking. Analyses were performed with survey data collected from a representative sample of 1,000 adults from Quebec, Canada. According to this survey, a majority of respondents endorsed spanking, despite their recognition of potential harm associated with corporal punishment (CP) of children. The prediction model of attitudes toward spanking included demographics, experiencing or witnessing various forms of family violence and abuse in childhood, and perceived frequency of physical injuries resulting from CP. Spanking was the most reported childhood experience (66.4%), and most violence and abuse predictors were significantly and positively correlated. Older respondents who were spanked in childhood and who believed that spanking never or seldom results in physical injuries were the most in favor of spanking. On the other hand, respondents who reported more severe physical violence or psychological abuse in childhood were less in favor of spanking. Findings are discussed in terms of prevention of CP and family coercion cycle.

Past Victimizations and Dating Violence Perpetration in Adolescence The Mediating Role of Emotional Distress and Hostility

This study aimed to understand the nature of the relationships between three forms of past victimizations (exposure to interparental violence in childhood, sexual harassment by peers since beginning high school, prior experience of dating violence), physical dating violence perpetration by adolescents, and anger-hostility and emotional distress. The sample was composed of 1,259 high school students aged between 14 and 19 years who answered self-report questionnaires. Mediation analyses were conducted according to Baron and Kenny’s approach. Logistic and linear regression analyses reveal that being victim of sexual harassment by peers and of dating violence are associated to physical dating violence perpetration via a partial mediating effect of hostility in girls. Contrary to results with girls, there is a complete mediating effect of emotional distress for boys. Results suggest that dating violence prevention and intervention strategies could be adapted according to gender and that sexual harassment should be addressed.

Father’s and Mother’s Psychological Violence and Adolescent Behavioral Adjustment

Maternal and paternal psychological violence were examined as potential risk factors for internalized and externalized behavior problems displayed by adolescents. Childhood family violence (physical and psychological parental violence), current extrafamily violence (bullying and dating violence), and family structure were taken into account. A sample of 278 adolescents (mean age: 14.2) were recruited in three public schools located in low to high socioeconomic areas. Participants were in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, and each completed a self-administered questionnaire. Frequency of current psychological violence is about the same for each parental figure. The three most frequent and least frequent psychologically violent parental practices were also the same for both parental figures. Psychological violence of both parents was related to internalized and externalized behavior problems over and above family structure, childhood family violence, and current extrafamily violence.

The Psychologically Violent Parental Practices Inventory (PVPPI): English Translation

ABSTRACT This paper reports the translation and preliminary validation process of the Psychologically Violent Parental Practices Inventory (PVPPI). The original Francophone inventory was previously tested with 306 Francophone students recruited in fifth to ninth grade classes. Findings of the original study had suggested a coherent two-factor structure, good construct validity, and satisfactory internal consistency. The PVPPI was translated into English and tested on a convenience sample of 90 girls and boys recruited in fifth and sixth grade classes of two English schools in the Quebec City area. The psychometric properties of this translation seem to reproduce those of the original French inventory. On the whole, PVPPI appears to be a promising tool that could find practical, as well as scientific applications.

Post-Separation Conflict Trajectories: A Longitudinal Study

Although previous studies have shown that parental separation and parental conflict contribute independently to the adaptation difficulties of young people, there is, as of yet, no precise portrait of how post-separation conflicts evolve. Indeed, some fundamental questions remain unanswered: (1) Do parents who experience few conflicts during their break-up continue to enjoy a harmonious relationship afterward? (2) When parents have a conflictual relationship in the first years after separating, do problems eventually subside? (3) Are a familys characteristics associated with the way a post-separation conflict evolves? The present, exploratory study attempts to provide some answers to these three questions. The sample was composed of 123 boys and girls from 8 to 11 years old. The children and their parents were interviewed on two separate occasions at a 1-year interval. The first interview (time 1) took place 2.5 years after the separation on average. The children were notably asked to give their perception of the parental conflict. Four post-separation conflict trajectories were brought to light. Analysis also targeted three more-specific variables that distinguished these conflict trajectories, namely family income, quality of the relationship with the mother, and the degree of agreement at the time of separation.

Profiles in the development of behavior disorders among youths with family maltreatment histories

Violent conduct by youths ranks among the types of inappropriate behavior generally originating in difficult family and social contexts. A proper understanding of the development of violent conduct must consider the situation taken as a whole. This article documents the results of a qualitative study which aimed to determine the psychosocial profiles and needs of youths with serious behavior problems and a family history of physical, psychological or sexual abuse. The results are based on the review of clinical files of 12 boys and 11 girls between the ages of 9 and 17, who were under child protection. The 23 files were analyzed to document the simultaneous evolution of behavior problems, abuse, family and school context, and the intervention of child protection services (reporting, evaluation, measures taken, foster care). The qualitative analysis followed the chronology and life history of each youth, resulting in the emergence of three generic profiles: the Undesirable, the Explosive, and the Delinquent. Each of the profiles is described and placed in perspective using the attachment, trauma and socialization theories respectively. The study concludes with proposals of distinct intervention models to be applied to these youths in the school environment.

Changement dans l’utilisation des conduites parentales psychologiquement violentes à la préadolescence

La presente etude vise a identifier les facteurs associes a un changement dans la frequence des conduites parentales psychologiquement violentes (CPPV) envers les preadolescents. L’echantillon compte 143 dyades parent-enfant rencontrees a deux reprises. Les parents ont complete un questionnaire portant sur les comportements agressifs de leur enfant, tandis que les jeunes ont rempli un questionnaire sur les conflits parentaux et sur la frequence des CPPV. Les resultats montrent que la probabilite qu’il y ait une augmentation des CPPV sur un an est accrue de plus de trois fois dans les familles separees, comparativement aux familles biparentales intactes. De plus, l’augmentation des conflits parentaux contribue a predire l’augmentation des CPPV.