The Effects of Childhood Parental Conflict and Adult Attitudes

It has long been established that a child’s relationship with their parental figures is critical to healthy adjustment and development throughout the lifespan. One important aspect of this relationship is the dynamic of the interparental unit, specifically the presence or absence of interparental conflict witnessed by the child. Existing literature has examined a relationship between interparental conflict and negative outcomes in children. Specifically, the literature points to how destructive versus constructive parental conflict can lead to either positive or negative outcomes in children’s conflict management skills. Constructive conflict is conflict that results in resolution wherein both parties feel as though it has been resolved while, Destructive conflict typically consists of anger, verbal aggression, shouting, physical aggression, personal injury, or withdrawal behaviors. This type of conflict typically leads to more negative outcomes in children’s overall adjustment and development. Furthermore, witnessing interparental conflict has been linked to higher levels of aggression, conduct disorders, anxiety, and depression in children. However, research has not yet examined how witnessing interparental conflict in childhood affects general attitudes towards authority in adulthood. Additionally, research has been incomplete in examining how witnessing interparental conflict affects children later in life or into adulthood. In the current study, we hypothesize that witnessing interparental conflict will lead to more negative attitudes toward authority later on in life. This study has been approved by the Murray State University IRB and data is currently being collected through SONA and fliers. The hope is to achieve a minimum sample size of 120 participants. Findings will be shared during Scholar’s Week. Keywords: Destructive Conflict, Constructive Conflict, Interparental Conflict, Attitudes, Authority