RESPONSES OF PHYSICALLY ABUSED BOYS TO INTER-ADULT ANGER INVOLVING THEIR MOTHERS

This study reports observationally based assessments of the responses of physically abused and nonabused boys to interadult anger involving their mothers. Physically abused boys were more behaviorally reactive to interadult anger than comparison subjects, evidencing more problem- focused coping behaviors and greater aggressiveness. Thus, rather than habituating to others' hostility due to their history of exposure to familial violence, abused children appeared more aroused and angered b y it and more motivated to intervene. As the matched low-socioeconomic status nonmaltreated sample was also exposed to interparent physical aggression, the results suggest that greater anger and aggression acro ss multiple family subsystems (parent-child, interparental) may have c umulative effects. The study thus advances knowledge toward a more spe cific process-based understanding of relations between history of fami ly conflict and child outcomes.