Childhood cruelty to animals in China: the relationship with psychological adjustment and family functioning

Abstract Background The current study broadened the general scope of research conducted on childhood cruelty to animals by examining the association between psychological adjustment, family functioning and animal cruelty in an E astern context, C hina. Method The mothers and fathers of 729 children attending primary school in C hengdu, C hina participated in this study. Each parent completed the S trengths and D ifficulties Q uestionnaire, the C hinese F amily A ssessment I nstrument, and the C hildren's A ttitudes and B ehaviours towards A nimals questionnaire. Results Findings from an actor partner interdependence model demonstrated that parents' ratings of family functioning and of their child's externalizing coping style predicted only modest amounts of variance in animal cruelty. In particular, parents' ratings of their child's externalizing coping style most consistently predicted animal cruelty. Family functioning, fathers' ratings in particular, played a minor role, more so for boys compared with girls. Conclusion This study provided the first insight into childhood animal cruelty in C hina, and suggests that further research may enhance our understanding of these phenomena.