1. Literature Review of the Influences of Marital Conflict on Children’s Behaviors
Patricia Hennessy
Eastern Connecticut State University
Introduction
This poster examines research on the influences of marital conflict on children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
Variables investigated were the effects of marital conflict on internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, and family
relationships.
Internalizing Behaviors
• Marital conflict has been found to increase children’s
internalizing behaviors. For example, Camisasca, Miragoli,
and Di Blasio (2015) investigated 743 parents and children
who completed different self report measures including the
Children’s Perceptions of Interparental Conflict Scale, the
Psychological Aggression and Physical Assault scales, and
the Child Behavior Checklist. These scales assessed the
relationship between marital conflict and internalizing
behaviors. Results indicated that with higher marital
conflict, there are higher internalizing problems for children.
If parents with high conflict used their conflict in a
destructive manner, which affects the partner, then the
children were at higher risk for later internalizing problems.
• Results indicated that girls were more reactive to marital
conflict and were therefore at a greater risk for internalizing
behavior problems. If girls felt a threat to their security, it
influenced their internalizing behaviors. Boys were not as
affected by maladaptive conflict (Brock & Kochanska,
2015.)
Externalizing Behaviors
• Marital conflict has also been found to increase children’s
externalizing behaviors. For example, Camisasca et al.
(2015) used measures previously stated to investigate
externalizing behaviors in children. Higher levels of parent
destructive conflict, like yelling, withdrawal, and failure to
communicate, was associated with an increased likelihood
for children to act out when they got older (Camisasca et
al. 2015). Children as young as eighteen months can have
reactions to parental conflict, such as emotional distress,
which later continues into adulthood (Sarrsazin, & Cyr
2007).
Mediating Associations
• An investigation of 230 parents and 258 children ages 6-9
was completed using self report measures such as the
Relationship Questionnaire, and the Child Behavior
Checklist. Marital conflict mediated the relationship
between socioeconomic status and children’s behavior
problems. Marital conflict also influenced the relationship
between maternal education and children’s internalizing
and externalizing problems (Li, et al. 2015)
• Psychological aggression between the parents mediated the
association between the children’s presence during the
conflict and the children’s behavior outcome in the future
(Pendry et al. 2013).
Different Ethnicities
• There has been research to suggest that different
ethnicities have similar reactions to marital conflict. For
example, Latino families, who have a collectivistic
approach, still experience marital conflict which increases
the likelihood for children’s internalizing and
externalizing problems (Stutzman, Miller, Hollist, &
Falceto 2009).
Family Relationships and Outside
Relationships
• The relationship between marital conflict
and how the children and parents felt
about each other was stronger for mothers
than for fathers (Noller et al. 2000).
• Sons showed fewer outbreaks in
behavioral problems if the father was the
dominant aspect in the parent couple. The
opposite was true for the daughters, if the
mothers were in more control they
showed less of an outbreak of behavior
problems. (Sarrsazin et al. 2007).
Different Stressors
• An investigation previously explained by Camisasca et al.
(2015) found that parent report of difficult child behavior
had a positive correlation with parental stress. The stress
is also connected with internalizing and externalizing
problems so if the child is feeling caught up in the conflict
then they have an even greater risk for behavior problems
(Sarrsazin et al. 2007).
Method
• The key words “parent, marital conflict, child, and
behavior outcomes” were searched in the PsycInfo,
Medline, PsycARTICLES, PsycTESTS databases
Discussion
• Research has been conducted to assess
the relationship between marital conflict
and children’s outcome behaviors.
• Children that are exposed to high levels
of conflict are more likely to have
internalizing or externalizing behaviors
References
•Bornovalova, M. A., Blazei, R., Malone, S. H., McGue, M., & Iacono,
W. G. (2013). Disentangling the relative contribution of parental
antisociality and family discord to child disruptive disorders. Personality
Disorders: Theory, Research, And Treatment.
•Brock, R. L., & Kochanska, G. (2015). Interparental conflict, children's
security with parents, and long-term risk of internalizing problems: A
longitudinal study from ages 2 to 10. Development And
Psychopathology,
•Camisasca, E., Miragoli, S., & Di Blasio, P. (2015). Families with
distinct levels of marital conflict and child adjustment: Which role for
maternal and paternal stress?. Journal Of Child And Family Studies.
•Li, X., Zhou, Q., & Hou, K. (2015). Marital conflict of chinese american
immigrant couples: A mediator of socioeconomic incorporation and
children’s behavioral problems. Journal Of Child And Family Studies
• Noller, P., Feeney, J. A., Sheehan, G., & Peterson, C. (2000). Marital
conflict patterns: Links with family conflict and family members
perceptions of one another. Personal Relationships.
•Pendry, P., Carr, A. M., Papp, L. M., & Antles, J. (2013). Child Presence
During Psychologically Aggressive Interparental Conflict: Implications
for Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior. Family Relations.
•Sarrazin, J., & Cyr, F. (2007). Parental Conflicts and Their Damaging
Effects on Children. Journal Of Divorce & Remarriage.
•Stutzman, S. V., Miller, R. B., Hollist, C. S., & Falceto, O. G. (2009).
Effects of Marital Quality on Children in Brazilian Families. Journal Of
Comparative Family Studies.