Intergenerational Transmission of Aggression: Physiological Regulatory Processes. (11th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Margolin, Gayla; Ramos, Michelle C.; Timmons, Adela C.; Miller, Kelly F.; Han, Sohyun C.
• Is Part Of: Child development perspectives. Volume 10:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2015-12-11
• Subjects: intergenerational transmission -- aggression -- physiology -- family -- couple; Child development -- Periodicals; 302.231
• DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-8592

Abstract

Abstract: Children who grow up in aggressive households are at risk of having problems with physiological regulation, but researchers have not investigated physiology as a mechanism in the intergenerational transmission of aggression. In this article, we posit that physiological regulation, particularly during stressful interpersonal interactions, may shed light on sensitivity to conflict. It can also inform our understanding of associations between childhood exposure to aggression in families of origin and aggression against partners in adolescence or adulthood. In support of this model, we highlight findings showing that childhood exposure to family aggression relates to physiological regulation across the life span, and that reactions to physiological stress concurrently relate to aggression against intimate partners. Emerging evidence from research on biological processes during stressful interpersonal interactions raises questions about what is adaptive for individuals from aggressive families, particularly as past family experiences intersect with the challenges of new relationships.