Exploring cross-generational adult drinking patterns and physical child maltreatment: a study of Hong Kong adults

•This is the first Chinese study to show that parental alcohol dependence is a risk factor for practicing child maltreatment.•In Chinese populations, proactive screening of parental alcohol dependence in child abuse investigations may be considered.•Those who were hit frequently by their parents as children were much more likely to develop alcohol use disorders as adults.•Chinese adults who report frequent parental beatings in childhood may be pro-actively screened for risky drinking patterns.