A Multi-National Study of Interparental Conflict, Parenting, and Adolescent Functioning

Keywords

cross-cultural research, marital conflict, parenting, youth adjustment

Abstract

This study assessed the associations between interparental conflict (IPC), parenting, and individual functioning among data gathered from school-going adolescents in Bangladesh, China, India, Bosnia, Germany, Palestine, Colombia, United States and three ethnic groups within South Africa. Specifically, we tested the validity of the spillover dynamic found in much research in the U.S., whereby marital conflict spills over into parenting and into the psychological and social functioning of children and adolescents. Previous analyses of these same data showed complete invariance in the linkages between parenting and adolescent functioning. This study thus provided a meaningful extension to the substantive literature on family processes. We followed recommendations within cross-cultural psychology to “transport and test” models validated in one culture to other cultures as an initial step in systematic comparative research. The findings revealed substantial invariance across the samples in documenting significant direct and indirect associations. Similar to prior research in the U.S., IPC was associated with youth outcomes directly, and more often indirectly, via parenting.

Original Publication Citation

Kay Bradford, Brian K. Barber, Joseph A. Olsen, Suzanne L. Maughan, Lance D. Erickson, Deborah Ward & Heidi E. Stolz (2003) A Multi-National Study of Interparental Conflict, Parenting, and Adolescent Functioning, Marriage & Family Review, 35:3-4, 107-137.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2003

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6703

Publisher

Marriage and Family Review

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Sociology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS