Considering Destructive Interparental Conflict and Intimate Partner Abuse: Is there a Difference?

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12335
• Published date: 01 April 2018
• Date: 01 April 2018
• Author: Connie J. Beck,Olena Kopystynska

RECENT ADVANCES IN UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT AND

DEVELOPMENT

CONSIDERING DESTRUCTIVE INTERPARENTAL CONFLICT AND

INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

Olena Kopystynska and Connie J. Beck

Building on existing evidence that destructive interparental conflict and intimate partner abuse (IPA) share research methodol-

ogy and predict the same adjustment difficulties across numerous areas of child development, this article brings awareness to

differences in terminology across disciplines and the impact these nuanced differences may have on families. We begin by

identifying two main streams of scholarships followed by a discussion of research methodology similarities and differences.

Important implications of differences in naming conventions for practitioners, legal and academic scholars, and victims are

then discussed. Finally, we encourage professionals from both scholarships to consider referencing the other’s terminology

and using comprehensive assessments to better promote the well-being of families.

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

To increase awareness in the naming convention of abuse across scholarly disciplines and consider the possible impact

on legal professionals in how they understand family dynamics and make decisions for families

To gain insight into similarities and differences of research methodological approaches measuring destructive

interparental conflict and IPA

To underscore the importance of using consistent terminology across fields, especially legal professionals working

with victims of IPA

Keywords: Child Development; Child Maladjustment; Constructive Interparental Conflict; Destructive Interparental

Conflict; Intimate Partner Abuse; Policy Issues.

Interparental conflict is a normative aspect of family functioning. Broadly conceived, interparental

conflict reflects overtly or covertly expressed incompatible interests (i.e., mutual disagreements in

opinions, values, or beliefs) between parents and may include an array of both positive and negative

emotions (Cummings, Kouros, & Papp, 2007; Emery, 1992; Jouriles, McDonald, & Kouros, 2016).

As a multifaceted concept, interparental conflict varies with regard to the following factors: intensity

(e.g., conflict can range from calm discussions to verbal or physical aggression), frequency (i.e., how

often conflict occurs), content (i.e., topic of disagreement), and resolution outcomes (e.g., whereas

some conflicts end quickly, others may linger) (Grych & Fincham, 1990; Jouriles et al., 2016 ;

Schrag, Peris, & Emery, 2003).

Differences in how the conflict is managed and expressed have unique implications for family

functioning and child development (Jouriles et al., 2016; Schrag et al., 2003). For example, on the

one hand, intense and frequent bickering has shown to be related to poor parenting (e.g., insensitive

and intrusive behaviors that undermine child autonomy) and child maladjustment (Cummings &

Davies, 2002; Fincham, 2003; Jouriles et al., 2016). On the other hand, benign arguments that show

progress toward resolution are less likely to compromise harmony in family functioning and child

psychological well-being (Cummings & Davies, 2002).

Corresponding: kopystynska@email.arizona.edu; beck@email.arizona.edu

FAMILY COURT REVIEW, Vol. 56 No. 2, April 2018 209–218

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C2018 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts