Interparental conflict and relationship expectations: exploring potential mediators

In a sample (n = 226) of emerging adults, the current study found that interparental conflict was associated with decreased expectations for adult romantic relationships. In separate analyses, this relationship was mediated by attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, resilience, and relationship self-efficacy. The results are consistent with previous research showing the harmful effects of high IPC on emerging adults’ relationship processes (Riggio, 2004; Smith-Etxeberria et al., 2020) which can be understood in the context of several models, including social learning theory and attachment theory. Future research should incorporate longitudinal methods and explore possible therapeutic interventions with emerging adults who have experienced high interparental conflict, with the hope that relationship education could minimize the adverse effects often associated with IPC. By understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms that link recall of IPC and current adult relationship functioning, this study may provide information helpful to practitioners when developing treatments to ameliorate adverse future relationship outcomes.