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Journal of Behavioural Sciences, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2016
Perceived Inter-Parental Conflicts, Emotional Security and Self-
Discipline in Adolescents
Iqra Yosuf, *Nida Zafar, and Rukhsana Kausar, PhD
Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore,
Pakistan
This paper examines relationship between perceived inter-parental
conflicts, emotional security and self-discipline in adolescents. The
sample comprised of 200 adolescents recruited from four government
schools of Lahore, Pakistan. For assessment, Children Perception of
Inter-Parental Conflicts Scale (Grych, Seid, & Fincham, 1992),
Belongingness and Emotional Security Tool (Frey, Cushing,
Freundlich, & Brenner, 2008) and Brief Self-Control Scale (Tangney,
Baumeister, & Boone, 2004) were used. Results showed significant
negative relationship of perceived frequency & intensity of inter-
parental conflict, self-blame and lack of coping efficacy with
emotional security. Resolution and stability dimensions of inter-
parental conflict showed significant positive relationship with
emotional security in adolescents. Results showed significant
negative relationship of perceived inter-parental conflicts (frequency,
intensity, content and self-blame) with self-discipline and significant
positive relationship of perceived inter-parental conflicts (resolution)
with self-discipline in adolescents. Results further showed that
emotional security partially mediated relationship between perceived
inter-parental conflicts and self-discipline in adolescents. Moreover,
girls were emotionally more secured and self-disciplined as compared
to boys. Findings of the present study highlight importance of healthy
inter-parental relationships for healthy emotional development of
adolescents.
Keywords. Perceived inter-parental conflict, emotional security,
self-discipline, adolescents
Iqra Yosuf, Alumnus, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab,
Lahore, Pakistan. Email: iqrayousaf810@gmail.com
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Nida Zadar, PhD
Scholar, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email: nida.zafar28@gmail.com
Rukhsana Kausar, PhD, Professor and Director, Institute of Applied Psychology,
University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: rukhsana.saddul@gmail.com
INTER-PARENTAL CONFLICT, EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
Parental discord and conflict has been reported to have a broad
range of harmful consequences in children, including behavior problems
(Jenkins & Smith, 2001; Jouriles, Murphy, & Leary, 1989) internalizing
problems (Johnston, Gonzalez, & Campbell, 1987) and different types of
parental conflict have diverse consequences for a child (Emery, 1982;
Katz & Low, 2004).
A child’s exposure to inter-parental conflicts is a major source to
threaten emotional security of children and it has been associated with a
wide range of negative outcomes in children (Jenkins & Smith, 1991;
Johnston, Malley, & Bachman, 2001; Kerig, 2006). When adolescents
perceive conflict between parents, their sense of emotional security
becomes threatened and they exhibit poor self-discipline at school and
home (Davies & Lindsey, 2004; Madigan, 2005). Emotional security is a
shared sense of family belonging, entitlement, and promises and it is
considered to be a building block of permanency (Kerig, 2006). Promises
and belongingness make emotional security important to permanency.
Adolescent is the most vulnerable group who strives to achieve his/her
identity for the optimal degree of physical safety, emotional security and
legal permanence within the context of family by the promises and
belongingness (Katz & Low, 2004).
Adolescence is a transitional stage in which an individual is
neither an adult nor a child and this stage of life becomes even more
difficult when an individual tries to find his own identity, fights with
social interactions, and struggles with ethical issues (Heuberger, 2008).
When adolescents perceive their parents in conflict, their sense of
belongingness to parents get threatened and they feel less secure in their
own homes (Kumar, Stone, Gerard, & Pemberton, 1997). Emotion
security may mediate relationship between perceived inter-parental
conflict and self-discipline in adolescents (Neighbors, Forehand, & Bau,
1997). According to attachment theory, problematic or disruptive parent-
child relationship may lead to disorganized or problematic internal
working models or models underscoring the importance of the emerged
negative affect, such as anger, fear that may lead to problematic behavior
or threaten internal security and emotional regulation (Davies &
Cummings, 2002). According to psychoanalytic perspective, exposure of
inter-parental conflict in childhood can create psychological and
behavioral issues in adolescents (Davies & Lindsey, 2004).
Ample research evidence exists showing negative effect of inter-
parental conflicts on behavioral problems of adolescents (Benson &
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YOSUF, ZAFAR, AND KAUSAR
Gerard, 2006; Cummings & Schatz, 2012; Davies & Lindsey, 2004; Frey
et al., 2008; Simon, Valerie, & Wyndol, 2009). Darvern, Staiger, and
Luk (2005) found high levels of perceived inter-parental conflicts
associated with adolescents’ adjustment problems. According to Jorge
(2000), parental violence impacts behavior of children and is associated
with physical and verbal aggression, low self-control, anxious and
depressed mood in children. Girl adolescents have been reported to
perceive more threat from parental conflicts compared to boys (Arshad &
Naz, 2012; Arfaie, Mohammadi, & Sohrabi, 2013; Cusimano, Angela, &
Marie, 2013; Gull, Moeen, & Hassan, 2011; Jamil & Mubashir, 2012;
Jelenova, Lacinova, & Prasko, 2013; Margolin & John, 1995).
Perceived inter-parental conflicts, emotional security and self-
discipline are closely related (Davies & Cummings, 2002). Adolescents
respond to parental conflicts negatively and become emotionally insecure
which in turn may result in behavioral problems (Kopp, 2002). Although,
the effect of inter-parental conflict effects both genders regardless of age
but girls are reported to perceive more interparental conflict (Gottfredson
& Hirchi, 1990).
The impact of parental conflict on children has been highlighted
indicating that children who perceive more inter-parental discord are
more likely to experience behavioral problems relative to children in the
general population (Cummings & Davies, 1994; McDonald & Jouriles,
1991). Inter-parental conflicts particularly affect the child psychological
well-being and healthy development (Emery, 1999). Adolescence is the
most sensitive period as it directly effects one’s personality (Kerry,
2002). Investigating adolescents’ problems are very important as this is
the most vulnerable group. This research would add to the existing body
of knowledge related to the effects of inter-parental conflict and its
psychological implications for adolescents. Research will highlight the
importance of healthy inter-parental relationships and their significance
for an emotionally secure individual. It is very important to study inter-
parental conflicts because disciplinary issues are related to the inter-
parental conflicts.
Objectives of the Study
The major objective of the present research was to investigate
relationship between perceived inter-parental conflict, emotional security
and self-discipline in adolescents. It also investigated the mediating role
100
INTER-PARENTAL CONFLICT, EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
of emotional security in the relationship between perceived inter-parental
conflicts and self-discipline in adolescents.
Hypotheses
Perceived inter-parental conflicts are likely to have negative
relationship with emotional security and self-discipline in
adolescents.
Emotional security is likely to mediate in the relationship between
perceived inter-parental conflicts and self-discipline in adolescents.
There are likely to be gender differences in perceived inter-parental
conflicts, emotional security and self-discipline in adolescents.
Method
Sample
The sample comprised of 200 adolescents with equal number of girls
and boys recruited from four Government schools of Lahore, Pakistan.
They ranged in ages between 13 to 17 years (M = 14.75, SD = 1.72).
Those adolescents were included who had been living with their
biological parents since birth and those whose either of the parents were
living abroad or away from home or had only holiday contact with
adolescents were excluded. Those adolescents were also excluded who
had one or more foster sibling and who had any type of physical
disability.
Table 1
Demographic Characteristics of Sample (N = 200)
Characteristics
f (%)
M (SD)
Age
14.75(1.72)
Class
6th
22(22)
7th
48(48)
8th
70(70)
9th
38(38 )
10th
22(22)
No of siblings
1-3
162(81)
4-6
38(19)
Birth order
1-3
157(79)
4-6
43(21)
Monthly family income (PKR)
52540(28.78)
Number of family members
15.1(11)
1-5
104(52)
101
YOSUF, ZAFAR, AND KAUSAR
Table 1 Continued
Characteristics
f (%)
M (SD)
6-10
51(25.5)
11-15
45(22)
Family system
Nuclear
104(52)
Joint
96(48)
Assessment Measures
Child Perception of Inter-Parental Conflicts (CPIC). The
Child perception of inter-parental conflicts was developed by Grych et al.
(1992). It is a 48 item questionnaire, which assesses 10 dimensions of
inter-parental conflicts: frequency, intensity, content, resolution, threat,
coping efficacy, stability, content, triangulation, and self-blame. It has
three possible responses; 1=true, 2=sort of true, and 3=false. This scale
was translated by the researchers in Pakistani national language Urdu
using Mapi guidelines (2008). For the present sample, reliability of this
scale is .92 and reliability of subscales are frequency= .71, intensity =.69,
resolution=.59, content=.76, self-blame=.71, perceived threat=.69, coping
efficacy=.86, triangulation= .82, and stability=.52.
Belongingness and Emotional Security Tool (BEST). The
emotional security tool is developed by Frey et al., (2008) and it assesses
the level of emotional security towards parents. The tool comprises of 22
items and it has five point rating scale ranging from completely agree to
completely disagree. This scale was translated by the researchers in Urdu
language following Linguistic Validation guidelines by MAPI institute
(2008).
Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS). Brief self-control scale
(BSCS) by (Tangney et al., 2004) was used to assess self-discipline. It
contains 13 items and each item is rated on five point rating scale where
1 means not at all to 5 very much. Items 2, 3, 4, 5,7,9,10,12, and 13 are
required to be reversed scored. Higher scores indicate high self-
discipline. Urdu translated version of the scale by Zafar and Kausar
(2013) was used. The scale has very high reliability for the present study
(α = .89).
Procedure
First of all permission was taken from the respective authors to
use their assessment measures. A letter authenticating research and
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INTER-PARENTAL CONFLICT, EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
researchers provided by the Institute of Applied Psychology, University
of the Punjab, Lahore was taken to the schools for data collection. The
researchers visited schools and took permission from respective heads of
the schools to get questionnaires completed by the adolescents. The
researcher selected sample according to the laid down inclusion criteria.
Initially, researcher applied screening questionnaire based on inclusion
criteria on all students of the class and those students who met the
inclusion criteria were included. Assessment was done in class room
settings. The response rate was 90%. Few students refused to fill the
questionnaire due to their class assignments. After completion of data
collection, participants were thanked for their cooperation.
Results
Descriptive statistics and internal consistencies of perceived inter-
parental conflicts, emotional security and self-discipline are presented in
table 2.
Table 2
Descriptive Statistics and Internal Consistencies of Scales
It was hypothesized that there is likely to be a relationship in
perceived inter-parental conflicts, emotional security and self-discipline
in adolescents. Pearson product moment correlation was applied to
investigate relationship between perceived inter-parental conflicts,
emotional security and self-discipline in adolescents. Results are
presented in table 3.
Scales
k
α
M
SD
Min-Max
Perceived inter-parental conflicts
Frequency
6
.71
7.87
.98
6-18
Intensity
6
.69
7.83
1.71
6-18
Resolution
6
.59
7.01
1.30
6-18
Content
4
.76
7.09
1.06
4-12
Self-blame
6
.71
7.19
.82
6-18
Perceived threat
6
.69
6.47
.98
6-18
Coping efficacy
5
.86
6.59
1.25
5-15
Triangulation
5
.82
7.18
.91
5-15
Stability
4
.52
7.02
2.44
4-12
Emotional security
22
.74
3.28
.76
22-110
Self-discipline
13
.72
5.85
1.01
13-65
103
YOSUF, ZAFAR, AND KAUSAR
Table 3
Relationship in Perceived Inter-Parental Conflicts, Emotional Security and Self-
Discipline in Adolescents
Note. FRE=frequency; INT=intensity; RES= resolution; CON=content; SELF=self-
blame; PER =perceived threat; COP= coping efficacy; TRI=triangulation;
STA=stability; ESQ=emotional security; SEL= self-discipline.
**p<.01; *p<.05.
Results show significant negative correlation of perceived inter-
parental conflicts (frequency, intensity, self-blame and coping efficacy)
with emotional security and significant positive correlation of perceived
inter-parental conflicts (resolution and stability) with emotional security
in adolescents. Results further reveal negative relationship of perceived
inter-parental conflicts (frequency, intensity, content and self-blame) with
self-discipline and positive relationship of perceived inter-parental
conflicts (resolution) with self-discipline. Moreover, significant positive
correlation is found between emotional security and self-discipline in
adolescents.
It was hypothesized that emotional security will mediate between
the relationship of inter-parental conflicts and self-discipline in
adolescents. Mediation analysis was applied to investigate mediating role
of emotional security. First of all linear regression analyses were used to
check assumption. Results of linear regression are presented in table 4.
Results (see table 4) show that perceived inter-parental conflicts
predict emotional security and self-discipline in adolescents.
Variables
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1.FRE
-
.42**
.01
-.11
-.03
.27**
.34**
.25**
-.06
-.18*
-.16*
2.INT
-
-.05
-.25**
.05
.28**
.35**
.13
-.08
-.33**
-.11*
3.RES
-
.08
.02
.19**
.07
.09
.01
.43**
.23**
4.CON
-
.04
-.23**
-.22**
.01
.01
.10
-.19*
5.SELF
-
.03
.05
-.04
-.07
-.22**
-.32**
6.PER
-
.37**
.23**
.02
-.02
.11*
7.COP
-
.21**
-.05
-.23**
-.05
8.TRI
-
.08
-.07
.02
9.STA
-
.51**
.11*
10.ESQ
-
.63**
11.SEL
-
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INTER-PARENTAL CONFLICT, EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
Table 4
Linear Regression for Perceived Inter-Parental Conflicts as Predictor of
Emotional Security and Self-Discipline in Adolescents
Self-Discipline
Emotional Security
Variables
β
β
Constant
Frequency
-.12*
-.14*
Intensity
-.15**
-.30**
Resolution
-.21*
-.29**
Content
.17*
.17*
Self-blame
-.11*
-.01
Perceived threat
.24**
.14*
Coping efficacy
-.29*
-.22**
Triangulation
-.35*
-.37**
Stability
-.01
-.14*
R
.41
.37
R2
.17
.14
F
2.25*
3.37**
In second step hierarchical regression analysis was applied to
investigate mediating role of emotional security in perceived inter
parental conflicts and self-discipline in adolescents. Results of
hierarchical regression are presented in table 5.
Table 5
Hierarchical Regression Analysis to Check the Mediating Role of Emotional
Security in Perceived Inter-Parental Conflicts and Self-Discipline
Block 1
Block 2
Predictors
β
β
Block 1
Emotional Security
.33**
.32**
Block 2
Frequency
.14
Intensity
-.05
Resolution
.20
Content
.06
Self-blame
-.03
Perceived threat
.09
Coping efficacy
-.04
Triangulation
-.02
Stability
.21**
R
.33
.43
R2
.11
.18
F
.31*
.23
ΔR2
.11
.07
105
YOSUF, ZAFAR, AND KAUSAR
Results show that emotional security partially mediates the
relationship between perceived inter-parental conflicts and self-discipline.
After controlling the effect of mediator (emotional security), Relationship
in perceived inter-parental conflicts and self-discipline is zero except for
one dimension of inter-parental conflict i.e. stability. Therefore the results
show partial mediation.
Sobel test was used to test the significance of mediation. Results are
presented in table 6.
Table 6
Sobel Test to Check the Significance of Mediation
Sobel test
p
Frequency
1.74
.04
Intensity
-2.59
.05
Resolution
2.62
.04
Content
1.84
.02
Self-blame
-0.11
.16
Perceived threat
2.12
.05
Coping efficacy
-1.49
.01
Triangulation
-1.25
.02
Stability
1.50
.01
Results of the Sobel test indicate that relationship in perceived
inter-parental conflicts and self-discipline is significantly mediated by
emotional security in adolescents.
106
INTER-PARENTAL CONFLICT, EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
It was hypothesized that there are likely to be gender differences
in perceived inter-parental conflicts, emotional security and self-
discipline in adolescents. Independent sample t test was applied to
investigate gender differences in perceived inter-parental conflicts,
emotional security and self-discipline in adolescents. Results are
presented in table 7.
Table 7
Mean Differences in Perceived Inter-Parental Conflicts, Emotional Security and
Self-Discipline in Adolescents
Boys(n =100)
Girls(n =100)
CI
Variables
M
SD
M
SD
t
p
LL
UL
Cohen’s d
IPC
FRE
7.82
.99
7.90
.97
-.60
.55
-.37
.19
.06
INT
7.89
2.22
7.78
.94
.46
.65
-.36
.59
.07
RES
7.05
.66
6.95
1.72
.54
.58
-.26
.46
.09
CON
6.84
1.10
7.34
.95
-3.44
.01
-.26
.46
.49
SELF
7.17
.79
7.21
.85
-.34
.73
-.79
-.21
.03
PER
6.72
1.00
7.22
.91
3.70
.01
-.79
-.21
.52
COP
6.73
1.26
6.45
1.24
1.54
.13
-.27
.19
.22
TRI
7.13
.95
7.25
.87
-.93
.35
.23
.77
.15
STA
6.96
.67
7.08
3.40
-.34
.74
-.80
.57
.03
ESQ
3.18
.62
3.58
.85
3.76
.01
.19
.60
.55
SEL
5.11
1.13
5.84
.94
-.13
.04
-.28
-.32
.42
Note. IPC=inter-parental conflicts; FRE=frequency; INT=intensity; RES= resolution;
CON=content; SELF=self-blame; PER =perceived threat; COP= coping efficacy;
TRI=triangulation; STA=stability; ESQ=emotional security; SEL= self-discipline.
Results showed significant gender differences in perceived inter-
parental conflicts (content and perceived threat), emotional security and
self-discipline. Girls perceive higher inter-parental conflicts (content and
perceived threat). Results also show that girls are emotionally more
secured and are more self-disciplined as compared to boys.
Discussion
Conflicts exist in every family but specifically conflicts between
parents may have adverse impact on the psychological well-being of
adolescents who are exposed to such conflicts. The devastating outcomes
of such conflicts include lack of self-discipline and threatened emotional
security (Davies, 2002) which may lead to various negative consequences
such as suicidal thoughts (Jelenova et al., 2013).
The findings of our study show relationship between perceived
inter-parental conflicts, emotional security and self-discipline in
107
YOSUF, ZAFAR, AND KAUSAR
adolescents. The results indicated strong correlation between perceived
inter-parental conflicts, emotional security and self-discipline in
adolescents. Our findings are consistent with previous researches
(Cummings & Schatz, 2012; Cummings & Davies, 1994; Davies &
Windle, 1997; Darven, Staiger, & Luk, 2005; Kerig, 1996; Kopp, 1982).
When adolescents watch their parents having conflicts on different
matters on regular basis, they may start developing feelings of insecurity
which in turn would lead to poor self-discipline. Cummings and Davies
(1994) argued that children are get disturbed by inter-parental conflicts
because it threatens their sense of emotional security.
In our study, perceived inter-parental conflicts show negative
relationship with emotional security in adolescents. In line with our
findings, Davies and Windle (1997) demonstrated the relationship
between perceived inter-parental conflicts, emotional security and self-
discipline in adolescents. Their findings also revealed that perceived
inter-parental conflicts threatens the emotional security of adolescents
and the threatened emotional security lead to lack of self-discipline.
Similar Davies and Lindsey (2004) also found that high levels of
conflicts between parents increased child risk for mental health
difficulties by shaking the child's sense of emotional security in the
family. Madigan (2005) and Darven et al. (2005)’s research findings also
lend support to our results.
In the present study, perceived parental conflicts and emotional
security predicted self-discipline in adolescents. Many other researches
are consistent with our findings (Davies & Windle, 1997; Cummings &
Schatz, 2012; Darven et al., 2005; Gong, Rai, Beck & Heffernan, 2009).
Similar findings have been reported by Darven et al. (2005). Previously
researchers have demonstrated that inter-parental conflicts predict lack of
self-discipline in adolescents. Similarly, a study by Gottfredson and
Hirchi (1990) is consistent with our research. In the Pakistani cultural
context, male dominance and joint family system are common features of
a family fabric. Moreover, due to ignorance about psychological impact
of family atmosphere on psychological well-being of children, parents
may assert their conflicts in their presence. Majority of the marriages in
Pakistan are still arranged which may be a reason of marital discord and
lack of understanding between the couple. Most of the time parents
quarrel and fight in the children’s presence who may perceive that their
parents may get separated or divorce any time and this uncertainty may
develop sense of insecurity in them.
108
INTER-PARENTAL CONFLICT, EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
Another finding of our research is that girls have higher levels of
self-control than boys in relation to perceived inter-parental conflicts.
Our findings are in line with those by Cummings and Davies (2012)
whose work also yielded the same results. Boys and girls may respond to
marital conflicts of their parents in different manner and thereby having
different levels of emotional insecurity.
Inter-parental conflict showed negative implications for Pakistani
adolescents’ psychological wellbeing as demonstrated by the present
research. The frequency and intensity of perceived inter-parental conflicts
threatened adolescents’ emotional security which in turn resulted in lack
of self-discipline. Results showed that it is not only the parental conflict
which creates behavioral problems in adolescents but how different
pathways are linked with self-discipline. Findings also showed that there
are gender differences in perceived inter-parental conflicts, emotional
security and self-discipline in adolescents. Girls and boys respond
differently to parental conflicts. Girls are emotionally more secure and
are more self-disciplined as compared to boys.
The research contributes to the existing body of the knowledge
about perceived-inter parental conflict, emotional security and self-
discipline in adolescents. The results of this research help providing
better understanding of the factors associated with self-discipline in
adolescents. The findings highlight the significance of healthy parental
relationships and that how parental conflicts can effect psychological
functioning of their children
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Received February 10, 2015
Revisions received April 24, 2016
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