An Investigation of Discrepancies in Family Conflict between Racially/Ethnically Minoritized and Non-Minoritized Populations: Measurement, Conflict Topics, and Family Processes

There is a substantial amount of literature about family conflict and processes that lead to varying adjustment outcomes for children. However, few studies have made a deliberate attempt to evaluate this topic of research with racially/ethnically minoritized families. Using tests of reliability, frequency, and advanced regression analyses, this study explored possible discrepancies between minoritized and non-minoritized families in three areas: reliability of conflict measures, conflict topics, and a family process model. Participants included 70 families from a larger effectiveness trial. Results indicated discrepancies in reliability and a unique family process for minoritized families, while important similarities emerged regarding conflict topics chosen. By including minoritized populations in the conversation of family conflict, child adjustment and family processes, the results of this study may inform researchers and clinicians how to contextualize conflict based on the difficulties parents/children may face as a minoritized family (Stutzman et al., 2011).