In the Eyes of the Beholder: Cognitive Appraisals as Mediators of the Association Between Interparental Conflict and Youth Maladjustment.

Abstract

Although the association between interparental conflict and youth maladjustment has been established, processes underlying this relationship are less understood. In this investigation, children's conflict appraisals were examined as mediating variables. In Study 1, 1,893 6th graders reported their perceptions of conflict and appraisals of threat and self-blame. Youth and teachers reported on externalizing and internalizing problems. In Study 2, 416 married parents from the larger sample reported their conflict and youth maladjustment. Children's appraisals of coping efficacy also were examined. Perceived threat, self-blame, and coping efficacy were salient mediators of overt conflict and triangulation, particularly for internalizing problems. Findings indicate that children's beliefs about interparental conflict play an important role in their adjustment to this family stressor.

Interparental conflict and child adjustment: main concepts and research findings

“…The research results by Grych and coworkers pointed out the potential importance for cognitive appraisals (Grych, Fincham, Jouriles & McDonald, 2000). Findings by other researchers provided further support for appraisals as a mediating role and confi rmed that children's beliefs about interparental confl ict play a central role as an interpretive fi lter for their responses to this family stressor (Gerard, Buehler, Franck & Anderson, 2005).…”

“…Gerard, Buehler, Franck & Anderson, 2005;Knisfogel & Grych, 2004;Fosco & Grych, 2007, 2010Grych, Fincham, Jouriles & McDonald, 2000). The research results by Grych and coworkers pointed out the potential importance for cognitive appraisals (Grych, Fincham, Jouriles & McDonald, 2000).…”

“…Grych & Fincham, 1990). In the second research generation the mechanisms or processes have been identified, which explain the effects on children who are exposed to interparental discord (Cummings & Davies, 2002;Grych, Fincham, Jouriles & McDonald, 2000;Harold, Shelton, Goeke-Morey & Cummings, 2004;Gerard, Buehler, Franck & Anderson, 2005). Also, an understanding of how and why interparental conflict is associated with child vulnerability to psychological problems has been gained (Fincham, 1994;Sturge-Apple, Cummings & Davies, 2006).…”

Conflict in the Family of Origin, Subjective Wellbeing, and Mental Health in Adulthood

“…Děti vyrůstající v konfliktním rodinném prostředí například obvykle dosahují horších školních výsledků a mají více problémů s chováním než jejich vrstevníci z harmoničtějších rodinných poměrů [Ghazarian, Buehler 2010;Harold, Aitken, Shelton 2007;Gerard et al 2005]. To může být dané například i horší socioekonomickou situací konfliktních rodin.…”

Conflitos interparentais e individuação em jovens adultos portugueses: papel dos conflitos de lealdade

“…A coligação surge muitas vezes associada à triangulação, sendo mais frequente quanto mais jovem são os filhos; neste processo os jovens assumem uma aliança com uma das partes contra a outra, o que se traduz no desenvolvimento por parte dos jovens de uma ansiedade significativa (Buchanan & Heiges, 2001). Neste sentido, alguns autores (e.g., Buchanan & Heiges, 2001;Buchanan, Maccoby, & Dornbusch, 1991;Lopez, 1991) sublinham que a triangulação e a coligação expressam um efeito negativo no bem-estar dos filhos, nomeadamente baixa autoestima, problemas comportamentais, depressão e ansiedade (Buchanan, Maccoby, & Dornbusch, 1996;Ellis & Boyan, 2010;Franck & Buehler, 2007;Gerard, Buehler, Franck, & Anderson, 2005;Nigg et al, 2009).…”