Adolescents Caught in Parental Loyalty Conflicts

Abstract

A group of 220 13- to 16-year old Catholic high school boys were administered a questionnaire regarding their exposure to parental loyalty conflict behaviors, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, depression, and rule-breaking behaviors. Results revealed high rates of exposure to parental loyalty conflict—especially in divorced families—as well as statistically significant associations with psychological maltreatment and depression. These data build on and extend earlier findings documenting the prevalence of children's involvement in parental conflict and the negative effects of that experience.

Keywords:

• conflict
• divorce
• loyalty
• well-being