Trait verbal aggressiveness and the appropriateness and effectiveness of fathers’ interaction plans II: Fathers’ self‐assessments

Previous research demonstrated that fathers’ trait verbal aggressiveness was (1) predictive of their adult sons’ perceptions of the sarcasm, criticism, and overall aggressiveness contained in fathers’ messages, and (2) inversely related to the appropriateness and effectiveness of fathers’ plans for dealing with an oppositional son. The present study extended this research by examining the relationship between fathers’ verbal aggressiveness and their perceptions of the appropriateness and effectiveness of selected tactics for interacting with oppositional sons. Overall, results indicated that fathers’ perceptions of the appropriateness and effectiveness of tactics was in large part a function of their level of trait verbal aggressiveness. Specifically, fathers’ trait verbal aggressiveness was (1) negatively related to perceptions of appropriateness and effectiveness of supportive tactics and (2) positively related to perceptions of the appropriateness and effectiveness of coercive tactics. Implications for research and theory development are discussed.

Key concepts:

• verbal aggressiveness
• effectiveness
• appropriateness
• father‐son interaction