Trait verbal aggressiveness and the appropriateness and effectiveness of fathers' interaction plans

Previous research demonstrated that fathers' trait verbal aggressiveness was predictive of their adult sons' perceptions of the sarcasm, criticism, and overall aggressiveness contained in fathers' messages. The present study was undertaken to extend these findings by examining the empirical relationship between fathers' trait verbal aggressiveness and the appropriateness and effectiveness of their plans for interacting with oppositional sons. This was accomplished by soliciting trait verbal aggressiveness scores from fathers who subsequently generated plans in response to a five‐phase scenario. Fathers' plans were rated independently by separate participants for appropriateness and effectiveness at each phase of the interaction. Results indicated that fathers' verbal aggressiveness was inversely related to both plan appropriateness and effectiveness. In light of the moderate to large relationships detected, implications for theory and research in father‐son relationships are discussed.

Key concepts:

• Appropriateness
• effectiveness
• father‐son interaction
• trait verbal aggressiveness
• verbal plans