Impact of interparental conflict on adjustment of African American college students from divorced and intact families.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of parent's interparental conflict on the adjustment of African American college students. Studies in this area showed that conflict prior to and after divorce, age at time of divorce, and gender (males or females) significantly impacts adjustment in children. Most of the previous research in this area involved younger children and Caucasian Americans. Currently, there is a paucity of data examining the effect of divorce in a representative population of other ethnic groups. This research was important for three reasons. First, it examined the impact of interparental conflict on college students versus younger children. Second, it looked at several factors shown to impact adjustment of children of interparental conflict. Finally, it attempted to determine if the findings for Caucasians and younger children also generalize to African Americans. A convenience sample of (N=90) African American college students from intact and divorced homes participated in this study. Conflict was measured using the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale. Adjustment was measured using the College Adjustment Scale. The results showed that interparental conflict regardless, of family status (intact or divorced), significantly impacted adjustment in this sample of African American college students. The study further found that gender, age at the time of divorce, nor post divorce conflict impacted adjustment in this sample. Limitations of the study and implications for further research were also discussed.