The association between interparental conflict and task completion over-time: parental closeness as a mediator
Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Current literature suggests that interparental conflict negatively impacts children’s psychological and behavioral development. However, less is known about the impact of interparental conflict on children’s cognitive development. Research also suggests that positive parenting may act as a protective factor against poor developmental outcomes in children. The purpose of the current study was to examine the association between interparental conflict and children’s task completion over time, as well as examine whether parental closeness mediated this relationship. This study utilized data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a large nationally representative sample of low-income families, which included data from mothers, fathers, and children from five waves (n= 4,897). Results from regression models suggested that interparental conflict during early childhood from both parents’ perspectives had a significant negative impact on children’s task completion. Additionally, while controlling for early childhood conflict, mothers’ perspectives of interparental conflict during middle childhood negatively impacted children’s task completion. However, this relationship was not significant for the father’s perspective of conflict during middle childhood. Regarding mediation analyses, only paternal closeness significantly mediated the association between interparental conflict and task completion. Findings from this study suggested that exposure to present interparental conflict may impact children’s ability to complete tasks. Additionally, paternal closeness may act as a protective factor against the negative effects of interparental conflict. The findings of this study may inform families about the importance of positive conflict resolution and positive parenting.
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Keywords
Cognitive development, Interparental conflict, Parental closeness, Task completion, Parenting