The lived experience of inter-parental conflict and its developmental impacts on young adults

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the developmental impacts of destructive inter-parental conflict (IPC) on young adults. This was a phenomenologically-based, qualitative study. Seven participants, between the ages of 18 and 27 years old, who had experienced IPC between their parents, were interviewed, utilising semi-structured interviews. During the interviews, participants were also invited to draw a representation of themselves during the conflict and then invited to talk about the drawings; the drawings were not analysed, but were there to help elicit content during the interviews. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The analysis resulted in five Group Experiential Themes (GETs): ‘Feelings About the Family Home’ (subthemes: home as unsafe and unpredictable environment, a lack of emotional support in the family, and conflict hidden from the outside world), ‘Memories of Conflict’ (subthemes: physical conflict between parents, regular arguing and threatening behaviour, and co-dependency between parents), ‘Position of Participant During the Conflict’ (subthemes: caught in-between the conflict, feeling confused, feeling fear, involved with siblings for support, and used various coping mechanisms), ‘Impacts of Parental Conflict’ (subthemes: conflict as a traumatic event, parentification, emotional awareness, friendships and relationships, mental health and longing for security, current conflict resolution, education and career, comparison to sibling(s), and changing relationship with parents), and ‘Current Thoughts and Feelings About Conflict’ (subthemes: feelings about discussing conflict, and changing perspective on parental conflict). The findings from this research showcase that the developmental impacts of IPC can be long-lasting and wide-ranging, highlighting the need for further awareness to be given to the possible impacts of destructive IPC. It also highlights a connection between IPC and trauma, something which is greatly missing in the current literature in this field. This research has implications for those working in counselling and mental health, demonstrating the broad range of impacts that clients may face if they have been exposed to IPC during their childhoods and young adulthoods. The use of qualitative research methods has allowed for a child-centred understanding of the experiences of IPC, with the hope that their needs may be better understood and met by professionals.