Attachment security as a mediator of the relationship between marital conflict and youth competence

The marital relationship has been a key element in determining the quality of family life. Child outcomes, both positive and negative, are associated with the quality of the marital relationship, and it has become increasingly evident that children living with marital conflict are at risk for maladjustment. The relationship between interparental conflict and adolescents' competence and behavior has been documented by many studies. Less is known about the influence that mother-child and father-child attachment relationships have in mediating the relationship between children's reactions to marital conflict and youth competence. The study examined whether attachment security mediates the influence of children's reactions to interparental conflict on adolescents' competence over time. Results indicate that attachment security may act as a mediator of the relationship between children's reactions to interparental conflict and youth competence. There was more clear evidence supporting the mediational path for the mother-child attachment relationship than for the father-child attachment relationship. Future research is warranted to better understand the mediational path of father-child attachment security.