information for practice

news, new scholarship & more from around the world


advanced search

“It Depends on What You Mean by ‘Disagree’”: Differences between Parent and Child Perceptions of Parent–Child Conflict

Abstract  

We examined a new structured interview of parent–child conflict that assesses parent and child perceptions of behavioral conflict
about daily life topics (e.g., doing chores, homework), and whether discrepancies exist on beliefs about these topics. In
a sample of 100 parents and children ages 10 to 17 years (M = 13.5 years, 52 males, 57 % African-American), informants could reliably distinguish between perceived behavioral conflicts
and perceived discrepant beliefs about topics. These scores were also significantly related to questionnaire reports of parent–child
conflict. Parent and child questionnaire reports did not significantly differ, yet on the structured interview, parents reported
significantly greater levels of perceived conflict and discrepant beliefs relative to child reports. Additionally, structured
interview reports of conflict demonstrated incremental validity by relating to child self-reports of delinquent behaviors,
when accounting for questionnaire conflict reports. The findings have implications for increasing understanding of the links
between parent–child conflict and psychosocial outcomes.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-15
  • DOI 10.1007/s10862-012-9288-3
  • Authors
    • Andres De Los Reyes, Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, Room 3123H, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    • Sarah A. Thomas, Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, Room 3123H, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    • Anna J. Swan, Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, Room 3123H, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    • Katherine B. Ehrlich, Maryland Child and Family Development Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    • Elizabeth K. Reynolds, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
    • Liza Suarez, Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Juvenile Research University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
    • Lea R. Dougherty, Child Stress and Emotions Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    • Laura MacPherson, Center for Addiction, Personality, and Emotions Research, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA
    • Shairy C. Pabón, Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park, Biology/Psychology Building, Room 3123H, College Park, MD 20742, USA