The persistence of early childhood physical aggression: Examining maternal delinquency and offending, mental health, and cultural differences

•The persistence of physical aggression in preschoolers is examined•The role of maternal offending, mental health, and parenting is described•Maternal juvenile delinquency and adult offending are linked to child aggression•Cultural differences in the correlates of physical aggression were identified•Intervention programs for early aggression should account for cultural differences

PurposeTo examine the persistence of physical aggression in preschoolers and associated correlates (i.e., socio-demographic, socioeconomic, criminality, parenting practices, maternal mental health).MethodsOne-year follow-ups are completed with 240 mothers and their preschool children (boys and girls) from the Vancouver Longitudinal Study on the Psychosocial Development of Children. A series of structural equation models are examined.ResultsMaternal psychological symptoms, juvenile delinquency, and adult offending are associated with higher levels of physical aggression in their offspring. Children of non-Caucasian mothers and those born outside of North are less physically aggressive. Cultural differences in the correlates of physical aggression were identified.ConclusionsMaternal past delinquency, current adult offending, and mental health are important factors in the development of children’s physical aggression. The findings suggest that there are multiple pathways leading to chronic physical aggression, which may be culturally-based. Cultural differences should be taken into account when developing programs and intervening with families of children with behavioral problems.