Some features of abusive parent child relationships that serve as a starting point for classification include : ( a ) the parent is physically aggressive with a child, often producing physical injury, ( b ) parent child interaction is coercive, and parents are quick to react to provocations with aggressive responses, and children often reciprocate aggression, ( c ) parents do not respond effectively to positive or prosocial behavior in the child, ( d ) parents do not engage in discussion about emotions, ( e ) parent engages in deficient play behavior, ignores the child, rarely initiates play, and does little teaching, ( f ) children are insecurely attached and, where mothers have a history of physical abuse, show distinctive patterns of disorganized attachment, and ( g ) parents relationship shows coercive marital interaction patterns.
