Positivity and Negativity in Interparental Conflict: Implications for Children

Abstract

Abstract. Although children are known to be highly sensitive to interparental conflict, important questions remain regarding which specific combinations of positive and negative behaviors as well as verbal and nonverbal expressions are most predictive of children’s perceptions. In this pilot study, we examined observational data on interparental conflict as predictors of children’s reports of perceived threat and insecurity in 43 families. Fathers’ nonverbal negativity was strongly linked to children’s perceived threat and insecure family representations, but both parents’ nonverbal and mothers’ verbal positivity buffered its impact on children. Our findings support previous research findings that parents’ negativity may have less adverse effects on children when it takes place in a positive family climate.