Interparental Conflict and Children’s Inclination to Exercise their Right to be Heard when Parents Separate

Abstract

For children to exercise their right to be heard when parents divorce or separate, they must voice their opinions at a time potentially characterised by significant interparental conflict. This study investigates whether several dimensions of interparental conflict are associated with whether children had expressed their opinions on post-divorce life to their parents and/or friends. Children aged 7-15 (N = 472) and their parents were recruited to the Dynamics of Family Conflict Study (fam-c) from Norwegian family counselling centres. Parents reported on levels of physical and verbal aggression, child involvement, cooperation and resolution of conflicts. Bayesian multilevel logistic regression indicated that verbal aggression was associated with a decreased, and triangulation with an increased, tendency for children to have expressed their views to their parents. No reliable associations were found with regards to friends. Our results underscore the importance for mediation services to continue to support children in expressing their views.