Conflict in marriages is inevitable and can strongly impact children's socioemotional development.
A study published on APA PsycNet suggests that how parents, particularly dads, handle marital conflict can make a huge difference to children.
Let's find out more.
How the research was carried out
The specialists examined the influence of constructive conflict resolution to mitigate the negative effects of the conflict.
They focused on dads as they can significantly affect children's development.
Analyzing data from a diverse sample of nearly 4000 families, they found that frequent marital conflict increased fathers' parenting stress and decreased warmth toward their kid, subsequently affecting the child's socioemotional skills.
Dads who employed constructive conflict resolutions, such as open communication and finding compromises, exhibited more involvement and overall warmth toward their sons and daughters, leading to their positive development.
Why is it important
It is vital for both parents, especially during the early years, to consider how their communication and resolutions impact their children's emotional and mental development.
The study highlights the importance of educational programs that promote healthy communication and maintaining good relationships within spouses.
The findings are relevant not only to married people but also to fathers in different family arrangements, where conflict resolution becomes even more crucial.
