Decoding Aggression: The Differential Impact of Parenting Styles on Reactive, Proactive, and Co-occurring Aggression Profiles in Children

Aggressive behavior in childhood poses substantial risks for later interpersonal and psychosocial difficulties, yet limited research has examined how specific parenting behaviors are associated with reactive, proactive, and co-occurring reactive-proactive aggression. This study examined associations between parenting and aggression profiles among Chinese children in Hong Kong. Participants were 1,278 children in grades 3 to 6 (896 boys, 382 girls; ages 8–13 years) and one parent or caregiver per child. Parents reported parenting styles and behaviors, and both parents and children reported reactive and proactive aggression. Children were classified into non-aggressive, reactive-only, proactive-only, and co-occurring reactive-proactive profiles using multi-informant composite aggression scores. Subgroup-based MANCOVAs and observed-variable path analyses were conducted. Subgroup-based analyses showed that aggression profile differences were concentrated in authoritarian parenting and coercive parenting behaviors. The co-occurring reactive-proactive profile showed higher levels of several coercive practices than the non-aggressive and reactive-only profiles. No significant profile differences emerged for authoritative parenting or positive parenting behaviors. Path analyses further showed that reactive and proactive aggression remained correlated after accounting for covariates and parenting variables. Verbal hostility and physical coercion were the most consistent positive correlates of aggression, with stronger associations in parent-reported than child-reported models. These findings highlight coercive parenting behaviors as salient family correlates of childhood aggression and underscore the value of examining reactive and proactive aggression jointly.