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Comparative Study
. 2013 Jan;68(1):31-40.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbs046. Epub 2012 May 4.

Conflict engagement and conflict disengagement during interactions between adults and their parents

Kelly E Cichy  1 , Eva S Lefkowitz, Karen L Fingerman
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Conflict engagement and conflict disengagement during interactions between adults and their parents

Kelly E Cichy et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined generational, ethnic, and gender differences in conflict behaviors during interactions between adults and their parents. We considered associations between observed conflict engagement and conflict disengagement behaviors and participant-rated relationship quality.

Method: Participants included 155 African American and European American women and men (aged 22-49 years), their mothers and their fathers (N = 465). Adult children were videotaped separately with their mother and their father discussing relationship problems. Independent raters coded the conversations for conflict engagement (e.g., pressuring for change) and disengagement (e.g., withdrawing) behaviors.

Results: In African American families, parents displayed more conflict engagement and adult children displayed more conflict disengagement, whereas European American parents and adult children did not differ in their conflict behaviors. Mothers, fathers, and adult children reported poorer relationship quality when they engaged in more conflict engagement behaviors. Adult children also reported poorer quality relationships when their mothers displayed more conflict engagement behaviors. Mothers reported poorer quality relationships when their adult children engaged in more conflict disengagement.

Discussion: Findings suggest that even as adults, parents and children in poorer quality relationships may engage in potentially ineffective behaviors to resolve conflicts.

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