Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Interparental Conflict and Adolescent Adjustment: A Systematic Review of Internalizing and Externalizing Pathways

Yuhefan WangFoothill College*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Interparental Conflict (IPC) is an important family variable that affects the psychological adaptation of adolescents. Early studies often equated it with domestic violence or divorce, but recent evidence shows that even daily verbal disputes and emotional apathy can have a profound impact on teenagers. This article conducts a systematic review of relevant empirical research by integrating the cognitive-contextual framework, the emotional security hypothesis, and social learning theory. Research results show that frequent or destructive IPC significantly increases the risk of internalized problems such as anxiety and depression in adolescents, among which children's subjective feelings are more predictive of psychological risks than reports from parents. Longitudinal studies have further found that early and repeated exposure to verbal disputes gradually accumulate effects as the development stage progresses, significantly increasing anxiety levels during school age and adolescence. On the other hand, IPC can also weaken prosocial behavior and increase externalized issues such as aggression and hostility. Its mechanisms of action include the decline of parental emotional warmth, the imitation of negative communication patterns, and the regulation of gender differences and cultural factors. Overall, the impact of IPC does not only depend on whether conflicts exist, but is also closely related to their frequency, intensity and resolution methods. This article finally points out that future research should enhance multi-method measurement, cross-cultural comparison and intervention exploration, with a focus on improving children's emotional security and coping capacities.

Keywords: Interparental Conflict; Adolescent Adjustment; Internalizing and Externalizing Problems; Emotional Security; Cross-Cultural Research
Published: October 28, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT28662
Volume: CHR Vol.88
pp. 132-140
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