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Date Permissions Signed

11-9-2010

Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Schudlich, Tina Dawn Du Rocher

Second Advisor

Goodvin, Rebecca

Third Advisor

Graham, James M.

Abstract

Interparental conflict (IPC) is an inevitable part of family life which has been linked to child adjustment. Two theories have been proposed to explain this relationship. The emotional security hypothesis represents a direct path by which IPC affects children by threatening their sense of felt security in the interparental relationship. In contrast, the spillover hypothesis suggests that IPC affects children indirectly by influencing parenting practices. The current study extends previous research by examining both of these pathways in families with infants, as well as testing how IPC may contribute to family outcomes. Seventy-four two-parent families of 6- to 14- month-old infants completed a series of questionnaires and laboratory interactions assessing dimensions of IPC, emotional security, parenting and coparenting behaviors, and child and family behaviors. Results provided some support for both the emotional security and spillover hypotheses. Implications for theory and potential future directions for research are discussed.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/ygsx-sk05

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

693786321

Subject – LCSH

Marital conflict--Psychological aspects; Parent and child; Parental influences; Security (Psychology) in children

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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