When There Is Conflict

Abstract

This study examined direct and indirect associations between overt and covert interparental conflict (IPC), parent—child conflict, and their links to youth problem behaviors. Data were collected from a sample of 641 school-age youth, ages 12 to 18 years, using a school-based survey. Analyses yielded direct positive linkages from overt IPC to antisocial behavior and from covert IPC to depression and antisocial behavior. When parent—child conflict was added to the model, significant direct associations were again observed between covert conflict and depression, with significant indirect effects through increased parent—child conflict. Likewise, significant direct associations were observed between overt conflict and antisocial behavior, with significant indirect effects through increased parent—child conflict. Although there was little variance in the findings when contextualized, youth ratings of religiosity were moderately and negatively associated with antisocial behavior. These findings document distinct pathways in the spillover of IPC to parent—child relations and youth well-being.