Family Dynamics and the Changing Home Environment: Infancy Through Adolescence
Family Dynamics and the Changing Home Environment: Infancy through Adolescence Liberty University
Counseling 502
Dr. Jimmy Myers
Cynthia S. Dawkins
December 4, 2011
Abstract
Changes in the home environment such as marital conflict, divorce and poor parenting can adversely affect family dynamics, and children especially, can develop both mental and physical health problems. Research finds a correlation between parental separation and the internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in children; this includes childhood sleep problems due to marital conflict. Children can help define and influence the dynamics of marital conflict. Studies show that in early childhood, parent-child relationships are critical to a child’s healthy development especially the mother-child relations and maternal depression can cause poor parenting leading to emotional and behavioral problems. Child maltreatment is associated with alterations in stress physiology, increased risk for emotional and behavioral issues and increased risk for mental health issues in adolescence. Positive and supportive co-parenting can buffer against the negative effects of marital conflict and divorce especially in low-income and at-risk families. Successful co-parenting relationships can positively affect a child’s socio-emotional development and mental health.
Family dynamics and changes in the home will affect the development and well-being of a child throughout infancy or adolescence. Home environments which are dysfunctional in nature, experiencing marital conflict, and separation/divorce or poor-parenting can cause problems within a child’s development including mental and physical issues. Some children will internalize their problems and suffer from anxiety and depression. Others will outwardly externalize their behaviors through aggression and conduct problems; preteens are especially at risk for antisocial behavior (Taylor, Purswell, Lindo, Jayne, & Fernando, 2011;
Counseling 502
Dr. Jimmy Myers
Cynthia S. Dawkins
December 4, 2011
Abstract
Changes in the home environment such as marital conflict, divorce and poor parenting can adversely affect family dynamics, and children especially, can develop both mental and physical health problems. Research finds a correlation between parental separation and the internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in children; this includes childhood sleep problems due to marital conflict. Children can help define and influence the dynamics of marital conflict. Studies show that in early childhood, parent-child relationships are critical to a child’s healthy development especially the mother-child relations and maternal depression can cause poor parenting leading to emotional and behavioral problems. Child maltreatment is associated with alterations in stress physiology, increased risk for emotional and behavioral issues and increased risk for mental health issues in adolescence. Positive and supportive co-parenting can buffer against the negative effects of marital conflict and divorce especially in low-income and at-risk families. Successful co-parenting relationships can positively affect a child’s socio-emotional development and mental health.
Family dynamics and changes in the home will affect the development and well-being of a child throughout infancy or adolescence. Home environments which are dysfunctional in nature, experiencing marital conflict, and separation/divorce or poor-parenting can cause problems within a child’s development including mental and physical issues. Some children will internalize their problems and suffer from anxiety and depression. Others will outwardly externalize their behaviors through aggression and conduct problems; preteens are especially at risk for antisocial behavior (Taylor, Purswell, Lindo, Jayne, & Fernando, 2011;
References: Barry, R. A. & Kochanska, G. (2010). A Longitudinal investigation of the affective environment in families with young children: From infancy to early school age. Emotion, 10(2), p. 237-249. doi:10.1037/a0018485 Booth-LaForce, C El-Sheikh, M. & Whitson, S. A. (2006). Longitudinal relations between marital conflict and child adjustment: Vagal regulations as a protective factor. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(1), p. 30-39. doi: 10.1037/0893-3200.20.1.30 Fabricius, W Gattis, K. S., Simpson, L. E., & Christensen, A. (2008). What about the kids? Parenting and child adjustment in the context of couple therapy. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(6), p. 833-842. doi:10.1037/a0013713 Isacco, A., Garfield, C Kelly, R. J. & El-Sheikh, M. (2011). Marital conflict and children’s sleep: Reciprocal relations and socioeconomic effects. Journal of Family Psychology, 25(3), p. 412-422. doi: 10.1037/a0023789 Peris, T Teti, D. M. & Cole, P. M. (2011). Parenting at risk: New perspectives, new approaches. Journal of Family Psychology, 25(5), p. 625-634. doi: 10.1037/a0025287