Effect of Interparental Conflict on Overt Aggression in Upper Elementary School Students: The Mediating Role of Parent-Child Conflict

Abstract

This study examined the effect of interparental conflict and parent-child conflict on overt aggression in upper elementary school students and investigates if children’s father-child conflict or mother-child conflict mediated the effect of interparental conflict on overt aggression. The participants of this study were 532 of fifth to sixth graders from three elementary schools located in Seoul and Gyeong-gi province. Participants were asked to respond to a written questionnaire to measure research variables of the Peer Conflict Scale, the Conflict Tactics Scales, and the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression. Mediating effects were examined using analysis procedures of Baron and Kenny. The major findings were as follows: first, the level of interparental conflict and parent-child conflict of both mothers and fathers in upper elementary school students increased the level of overt aggression. Second, parent-child conflict of both mothers and fathers in upper elementary school students partially mediated the relation between interparental conflict and overt aggression. Higher levels of interparental conflict resulted in higher levels of parent-child conflict, and the subsequently higher frequency of overt aggression in upper elementary school students.