Interparental Conflict and Child Adjustment

Abstract

This chapter reviews empirical knowledge on the association between interparental conflict and child adjustment problems. We begin with a brief historical overview. We then deconstruct the concept of interparental conflict, describing key dimensions of incidents of such conflict (topic, behavioral tactics, emotions, and resolution) that have been linked to children's adjustment. Next, we turn to a presentation of theories on the link between interparental conflict and child adjustment problems, highlighting key variables and processes implicated by these theories. We examine child attributes and family and community factors that influence how interparental conflict can contribute to child adjustment problems. We then discuss translational implications of this research, providing examples of how it has been used to inform practice. We conclude with suggestions for future research. Throughout the chapter, we illustrate how the use and contributions of disparate assessment methods and how principles of developmental psychopathology have contributed to and strengthened knowledge on this topic.

Considering Destructive Interparental Conflict and Intimate Partner Abuse: Is there a Difference?

“…Perhaps because IPA is often studied using clinical, court, law enforcement, and community agency samples, it is recognized as a more serious form for interparental discord (Jouriles et al, ) as it is a leading cause of death, particularly for women (Smith, Fowler, & Niolon, ). The World Health Organization () has indicated that violence against women is a “global health problem of epidemic proportions.” Realizing the potential serious consequences of IPA for both adults and children, the goal of this article is to bring awareness to the impact of terminology used to describe interparental conflict on research strategies, intervention development, delivery of treatment services, social policy, and legal ramification for families.…”

“…Exposure to destructive interparental conflict has been related to a number of unfavorable outcomes for children, including internalizing and externalizing behavior problems (Cummings & Davies, 2010), cognitive impairment (Grych, Harold, & Miles, 2003), academic underachievement (McCoy, George, Cummings, & Davies, 2013), social incompetence (Lindsey, Colwell, Frabutt, & MacKinnon-Lewis, 2006), and decreased physical health (El-Sheikh, Harger, & Whitson, 2001). Additionally, with repeated exposure, children may deem destructive conflict tactics (e.g., uncontrolled emotional reactions) as appropriate and acceptable communication and conflict resolution strategies and further reinforce such behaviors in their own interpersonal relationships (Cummings, Goeke-Morey, & Papp, 2004;Grych & Fincham, 1990;Jouriles et al, 2016).…”

“…Approximately 30% of children from birth to 17 years of age living in dual-parent households are exposed to IPA at least once annually (McDonald, Jouriles, Ramisetty-Mikler, Caetano, & Green, 2006). There is a possibility that the number of families with IPA is higher than those presented by these statistics because many incidents are not reported (Jouriles et al, 2016).…”

“…Perhaps because IPA is often studied using clinical, court, law enforcement, and community agency samples, it is recognized as a more serious form for interparental discord (Jouriles et al, 2016) as it is a leading cause of death, particularly for women (Smith, Fowler, & Niolon, 2014). The World Health Organization (2013) has indicated that violence against women is a "global health problem of epidemic proportions."…”

“…Differences in how the conflict is managed and expressed have unique implications for family functioning and child development (Jouriles et al, 2016;Schrag et al, 2003). For example, on the one hand, intense and frequent bickering has shown to be related to poor parenting (e.g., insensitive and intrusive behaviors that undermine child autonomy) and child maladjustment (Cummings & Davies, 2002;Fincham, 2003;Jouriles et al, 2016). On the other hand, benign arguments that show progress toward resolution are less likely to compromise harmony in family functioning and child psychological well-being (Cummings & Davies, 2002).…”