Date of Award

12-1996

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Joseph C. LaVoie

Second Advisor

Douglas A. Abbott

Third Advisor

Lisa Kelly-Vance

Abstract

The characteristics of interpersonal conflict within the family system during adolescence may be influenced not only by the attempts of adolescent's to individuate from their parents, but also by the environment in which this individuation process occurs. Family systems that are characterized by decreased family cohesion and increased interparental conflict may inadvertently provide environments that foster increases in conflict among its members. How these environmental factors are associated with the quantitative and qualitative aspects of conflict is an important question which is addressed in this study. The relationship between the family system environment (i.e., family cohesion and interparental conflict), participant's gender, and the characteristics of interpersonal conflict within the family was examined. Regression analyses and analysis of variance were used to determine the association between the independent variables and adolescent's perceived conflict frequency, experienced affect, and resolution strategies used during conflicts between adolescents and their parents and siblings. The analyses revealed that conflict was mediated by decreased family cohesion and increased interparental conflict. Although a relationship between gender and the characteristics of family conflict was expected, the association was small. These results show how deteriorated family systems may provide environments that perpetuate increases in conflict.

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