Parental Conflict ― Outcomes and Interventions for Children and Families

Researchers increasingly recognize the importance of early family experiences on children and the impact that inter-parental conflict has on child development. This book reviews recent research in order to show how children who experience high levels of inter-parental conflict are put at both an immediate psychological and physical risk and a longer-developing risk of recapitulating such behaviors. The authors examine topics such as the differences between destructive and constructive inter-parental conflict on child development, why some children are more adversely affected than others, and how conflict affects child physiology. Ultimately they provide suggestions for improving the futures of children who are experiencing challenging family environments today.

Jenny Reynolds is an independent researcher specializing in family relationships and an associate at OnePlusOne, where Catherine Houlston is a senior research officer and Lester Coleman is head of research. Gordon Harold is the Andrew and Virginia Rudd Chair in Psychology at the University of Sussex.