The moderating role of household chaos in the association between parental sensitivity and proactive aggression in childhood

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between parental sensitivity and proactive aggression in children four years later, when they were 10-12 years of age. Furthermore, we aimed to explore whether household chaos moderated this association. Based on a sample of 257 Dutch families, the results showed that proactive aggression in children was not predicted by parental sensitivity. Also, the relation between low levels of parental sensitivity and proactive aggression in children was not stronger when children experienced more household chaos in their family situations than children who experienced less household chaos. In some way, it is positive that proactive aggression was not shown by children with unsensitive parents and that household chaos did not moderate this association. Children may be more resilient than expected and the social context of the child may possibly prevent the occurrence of proactive aggression. Individual differences in a child’s...Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between parental sensitivity and proactive aggression in children four years later, when they were 10-12 years of age. Furthermore, we aimed to explore whether household chaos moderated this association. Based on a sample of 257 Dutch families, the results showed that proactive aggression in children was not predicted by parental sensitivity. Also, the relation between low levels of parental sensitivity and proactive aggression in children was not stronger when children experienced more household chaos in their family situations than children who experienced less household chaos. In some way, it is positive that proactive aggression was not shown by children with unsensitive parents and that household chaos did not moderate this association. Children may be more resilient than expected and the social context of the child may possibly prevent the occurrence of proactive aggression. Individual differences in a child’s perception of the environment might also influence whether the child is showing proactive aggression. Possibly, individual differences in coping with negative environments, such as negative parenting, are important in unraveling the prediction of proactive aggressive behaviour. For further research, we suggest adding the moderating effect of temperament to the model. In this study, unsensitive parenting was not associated with proactive aggression in children. However, other factors, such as harsh parenting, can be investigated in future research to expand our knowledge concerning proactive aggression in children.Show less

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The moderating role of household chaos in the association between parental sensitivity and proactive aggression in childhood