This paper presents the data from a national survey of family violence and suggests that the roots of family violence lie in the organization of the family and in implicit cultural norms tolerating or approving violence as a means for social control. (Author/EB)

Application of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) to the assessment of child abuse is described. The CTS is a brief instrument designed to measure three aspects of parent-to-child behavior: (1) reasoning; (2) psychological aggression; and (3) physical aggression. The psychological and physical aggression indexes are intended to measure the…

The Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) is the most widely used instrument for measuring the tactics used by members of a family in a conflict situation. It is intended to measure the extent to which family members use reasoning, verbal aggression, and physical aggression. Focus is on: (1) bringing together and evaluating criticisms of the CTS so that…

Studies use of corporal punishment of adolescents by parents among 6,002 U.S. couples (National Family Violence Resurvey). Results for prevalence and chronicity show that half or more adolescents are hit by their parents and that this can occur frequently. Unfortunately, such events are not necessarily thought of as assaults. (SLD)