Children's perceptions and comparisons of two marital conflict patterns : mutually hostile and demand-withdraw /
Overt marital conflict and its subsequent effects on children have been studied extensively. Much of the research has focused on the more visible, isolated aspects of conflict, such as verbal and physical aggression. However, the effects of covert marital conflict have been more elusive. When par...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1996.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=739640971&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | Overt marital conflict and its subsequent effects on children have been studied extensively. Much of the research has focused on the more visible, isolated aspects of conflict, such as verbal and physical aggression. However, the effects of covert marital conflict have been more elusive. When parents disengage and withdraw from each other during conflict, disputes remain unresolved. Underlying feelings of anger and resentment fuel marital discord and ultimately jeopardize the parent-child relationship. The anticipation of "marital fallout' following parents' unresolved disagreements serves to heighten children's emotional responses to conflict. Going beyond the outward expressions of discord, this study investigates and compares children's perceptions of two common marital conflict patterns: Mutually Hostile (MH) and Demand-Withdraw (DW). After viewing a videotape of each conflict pattern, children (n=487) completed questionnaires reporting: their feelings of comfort/discomfort during the conflict, their feelings of wanting to avoid or join in with the disagreement, and their expectations for continued parental conflict. Children also reported their impressions of how parents felt during and after both conflict patterns (sadness and/or anger, potential for physical aggression during disagreements, and emotional intimacy between parents following the disagreement). Variables were examined across age (third and eighth grade students) and gender. Older children reported a higher level of comfort with both conflict patterns, a greater desire to join in with the conflict, and a greater certainty that the parents would argue about the same topic in the future. In comparison to the younger children, a greater percentage of older children reported the DW father getting his way. Even though a greater percentage of children perceived a greater threat for physical aggression during the MH conflict, children still reported being significantly more comfortable with MH conflict. Three fourths of all children reported the possibility of parents becoming physically aggressive during marital conflict, regardless of conflict pattern. Results of statistical analyses of childrens perceptions indicate significantly greater differences across age than gender. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: School Psychology". |
| Physical Description: | xii, 158 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 114-127. |