HHS HealthBeat (July 3, 2012)

Following the fighting home

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Parents who fight at home may be rubbing off that habit on their kids. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center held 12 focus groups of middle and high school students. The results show that pro-fighting attitudes among family members can be a risk factor for a kid’s fighting behavior.

Rashmi Shetgiri led the study at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.

“It’s important for parents to be aware of their own attitudes about fighting, and of how they interact with their children and with others in their lives.”

Kids may fight to defend themselves. Being involved in fighting as a teen can increase the risk of violence and criminal behavior as an adult.

The study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Boston was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: July 3, 2012