Silent parental conflict

Parents’ perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID12516652
AuthorsMagdalena Kielpikowski (Victoria University of Wellington, corresponding author), Magdalena M Kielpikowski (Doctoral Candidate, School of Psychology and Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand), Jan Pryor (Victoria University of Wellington), Jan E Pryor (Director, Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand)
Year2008
Volume14
Issue2-3
Pages217-227
Publication date2008-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1322-9400 • E-ISSN: 1839-3543
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.5172/jfs.327.14.2-3.217
OpenAlexW2079535574
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited12

As well as verbal disputes and physical aggression, relationship conflict between couples may take a non-verbal non-physical form. Little research exists on this aspect of couple conflict especially in the context of families with children. This qualitative exploratory study was designed to begin addressing this gap and to provide a foundation for the development of a psychometric measure. We conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with parents in order to ascertain their perspective on non-verbal non-physical conflict. Five main themes identified through thematic analysis were: behavioural change as a marker of silent conflict, lack of resolution, avoidance and withdrawal, costs of silent conflict, and advantages of silent conflict. Participants reported emotional and physical effects and negative spill over to their interactions with children, as parents became impatient and preoccupied. Despite these high costs, parents cited emotional regulation, de-escalation and the possibility of concealment of discord from children as perceived benefits of silent conflict. The complexity of silent conflict is discussed in view of the recent findings of its impact on young people (Pryor & Pattison 2007)

Criminology · Media studies · Perspective (graphical · Political science · Project commissioning · Publishing · Sociology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Computer Science · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology

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