Examining the relationship between witnessing inter-parental conflict as a child and aggressive behaviour in adulthood

Carpenter, Alexandra (2017) Examining the relationship between witnessing inter-parental conflict as a child and aggressive behaviour in adulthood. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Objective:
Much research that looks at the effects of witnessing conflict between parents focuses around children, but, can witnessing inter-parental conflict as a child influence a person’s behaviour in adulthood? The current study investigates weather witnessing inter-parental conflict can cause a person display more aggressive behaviour as an adult. Furthermore, the study looks at the differences between aggression and gender, age and parents’ current relationship status.

Method:
54 males and 119 females (N=173) took part in a questionnaire which was administered online. The questionnaire included a background demographic questionnaire, a revised version of the Grych, Seid & Fincham’s Children’s perception of Inter-parental conflict scale and the Buss-Perry aggression scale.

Results:
There was a weak negative correlation found between inter-parental conflict and aggressive behaviour. A Mann-Whitney U test found that males display more aggression than females, and a one-way between groups ANOVA found aggressive behaviour decreased with age. A Kruskal- Wallis test showed no difference between aggressive behaviour and parents current relationship status.

Conclusion:
Findings from this study suggest that witnessing higher levels of inter-parental conflict as a child is not associated with higher levels of aggression in adulthood. However, Further research should be conducted with regards to the effects of witnessing inter-parental conflict can have on an adult.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2017 13:24
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2017 13:24
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/2779

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