A Longitudinal Examination of Child Symptoms of Psychopathology as a Mediator Between Marital Conflict and Child Involvement in Interparental Disagreements

Though the links between marital conflict, child involvement in interparental disagreements, and child psychopathology are well-established, previous research has not viewed child psychopathology as a process by which child involvement in marital conflict may be influenced. Children (235 at 6-years, 220 at 7-years, and 217 at 8-years) completed the MacArthur Story Stem Battery as a measure of child involvement and mother, father, and teacher reports of study variables were collected. Symptoms of psychopathology were examined as a mediator between marital conflict and child involvement using various SEM techniques to determine whether strategies change over time depending on type of psychopathology present and whether marital conflict increases their likelihood longitudinally. Results failed to show a longitudinal relationship between marital conflict and child symptoms of psychopathology, as well as a significant relationship between child symptoms of psychopathology and child involvement in marital disputes, indicating a need for future research into these processes.