One-Third of Young People Become Physically Aggressive Toward Their Parents

Physical aggression by young people toward their parents occurs quite frequently – yet the subject remains taboo. Victims often struggle with shame and avoid seeking help, hoping to shield their children from repercussions. Now, in a first-of-its-kind longitudinal study, researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) have tracked the development of this behavior from early adolescence to young adulthood, identifying which factors increase or reduce the risk.

The research draws on the Zurich Project on Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z-proso), directed by Manuel Eisner, Denis Ribeaud and Lilly Shanahan at UZH’s Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development. The study tracked more than 1,500 participants from early adolescence into young adulthood.

32.5% of participants reported at least one episode of physical aggression toward a parent between the ages of 11 and 24, for instance by hitting, kicking or throwing objects. This behavior peaks at age 13, when roughly 15% of respondents reported such behavior. Thereafter, the frequency of physical aggression toward parents declined and plateaued at around 5% by early adulthood.

“At first glance, it may seem surprising that one-third of adolescents become physically aggressive toward their parents at some point,” says Lilly Shanahan. “But these are mostly isolated incidents, likely in the midst of heated parent-child conflicts during puberty. For the most part, we’re not talking about systematic violence here.” Even so, Shanahan finds it concerning that two out of five affected young people reported aggressive behavior at multiple assessment points.

What drives young people to lash out at their parents? Educational attainment and socioeconomic status appear not to play a significant role. “Child-to-parent aggression spans all social classes,” says lead author and postdoctoral researcher Laura Bechtiger. “It’s not limited to any particular social background or gender."

That said, researchers did identify multiple risk factors unrelated to whether the child generally has aggressive tendencies. Physical punishment and verbal aggression by parents increase the likelihood of creating a familial cycle of violence in which aggressive behavioral patterns are modeled and passed on. Additionally, when parents frequently clash with one another, their children adopt similar patterns of conflict. Young people with symptoms of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disoder are also at greater risk, both because they often struggle with impulse control and may also be treated with less patience by their parents.

The good news: Certain factors can dramatically reduce the risk that adolescents become physically aggressive toward parents . Children who have learned how to deal constructively with negative emotions and conflicts show a lower tendency toward physical aggression. A supportive parenting environment, where parents are actively involved in their children’s lives, show interest, and offer emotional support, also lowers the risk. According to the researchers, early prevention could also lower the likelihood of later physical aggression.

“Conflicts between parents and adolescents are normal and even important for development,” explains Denis Ribeaud, co-director of z-proso. “Isolated outbursts during puberty should be reflected upon, but are not necessarily cause for alarm. Patterns, however, are: repeated physical aggression with increasing intensity is a warning sign, as are a lack of remorse and aggressive behavior extending outside of the family.”

At five percent, the share of 24-year-olds displaying physical aggression is comparatively small, but nonetheless significant. If physical aggression against parents is still being carried out in early adulthood, the risk increases of this becoming a lasting pattern, with the corresponding psychosocial consequences.

Sociologist Manuel Eisner emphasizes the importance of early intervention: “Prevention needs to be aimed at both parents and children. Parents should learn to rely less on corporal punishment and to create a supportive, constructive environment within the family. Children should also be supported in learning emotional regulation and constructive conflict resolution, even before they start school.”

Literature:
Bechtiger, L., Bürgin, D., Ferolla Vasconcelos, G., Ribeaud, D., Eisner, M., & Shanahan, L. (2026). Physical aggression toward parents from ages 11 to 24: prevalence trajectory and risk and protective factors. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 19. January 2026. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-025-02953-w