Gender, Power, and Violence in the Family

Abstract

Attributions for parent-child relationship outcomes were assessed as a function of childhood maltreatment history. In Study 1, the attributions of maltreated children were compared with those of nonmaltreated children from a similar background. Maltreated girls (but not boys) were found to be more likely than nonmaltreated girls to attribute lower power or control to self than to parents. Effects of maltreatment on children's attributions were found for physical but not sexual abuse. In Study 2, the attributions of parents with a history of abuse as children were compared with those of parents who had not been abused. Women (but no men) with a history of abuse attributed less power or control to self than to children. Implications are drawn for gender differences in the role of biased attributions as a consequence of physical abuse.