Ouderconflicten en de kwaliteit van de vader-kind en moeder-kindrelatie. De rol van gescheiden en intacte gezinnen

Abstract

In this study the association between the quality of the mother-child and father-child relation and interparental conflicts has been examined. Researchers differ in their opinion if this association is more significant for married families or divorced families. Analyses were based on 1923 children from married families and 443 children from divorced families from the survey study ‘Scholieren en Gezinnen 2013’ [Students and Families 2013]. These two groups of youngsters were compared with each other concerning the linkage between interparental conflicts and the quality of the father-child and mother-child relationship, as well as the role of family structure in this linkage. Results showed a significant negative relation between parental conflicts and both the quality of the mother-child and father-child relationship: when children report more conflicts between parents, the relationship with both their parents is significantly lower. The relation between parental conflicts and the quality of the relation with mother was stronger for married families compared to divorced families. No differences were found in the association between parental conflicts and quality of the father-child relation between divorced and married families. This means that parental conflicts in married families affect both the quality of the relation with mother and father, whereas in divorced families the quality of the relation with mother is significantly less affected by parental conflicts compared to the quality of the relation with father. More research is needed regarding the possible association with the quantity of the contact with fathers after divorce as this may influence the quality of the relation. Less contact between father and child may lead to a lower quality of the father-child relationship.