The effect of marital conflicts on children’s health: a MIMIC model

Abstract

Background: Our aim was testing the relationship of several aspects of marital conflicts and children’s health in a complex model. Methods: 336 parent-child pair participated in this cross-sectional questionnaire study. Children (ages 9-12 years) completed Children’s Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, anxiety (STAI-C), depression (CDI) scales, Child Behavior Checklist whereas the parents completed Marital Stress Scale. We used structural equation modeling (MIMIC model). Findings: The frequent, intense marital conflicts associate greater perceived threat, poor coping, greater self-blame, more internalizing, externalizing problems and more physical symptoms. Those younger children who blamed themselves for their parents’ conflicts feel more threatened. Intense and poorly resolved conflicts and more marital stress predict the children’s poor coping efficacy. The model fitted the data well (χ2=53.59, df=46, p=.206, RMSEA=.022, RMSEA CI 90: .000-.044, CFI=.995, TLI=.984). The model explained variances of internalization (43.9%), externalization (36.7%), somatic symptoms (17.3%), and attentional problems (27.8%). Discussion: The model illustrates the effect of the marital conflict to the child’s health enhancing the most significant aspects.