Familial predictors of sibling and romantic-partner conflict resolution: comparing late adolescents from intact and divorced families

The present study examined whether predictors of romantic-partner conflict may vary as a function of family structure. Using a cross-sectional design, we tested a mediation model of conflict resolution behaviours among late adolescents from intact (n=185) and divorced (n=87) families. Adolescents rated conflict resolution behaviours in five dyadic relationships: interparental, mother-adolescent, father-adolescent, sibling, and romantic partner. Mother-adolescent and father-adolescent conflict resolution behaviours mediated the relationship between interparental and sibling conflict resolution. Moreover, both mother-adolescent and sibling conflict resolution behaviours mediated the relationship between interparental and romantic-partner conflict resolution behaviours. This model was supported for both positive and negative behaviours, and it applied equally well to adolescents from intact and divorced families. Results are discussed in the context of social learning theories and support conflict resolution behaviours within the family spilling over into romantic relationships for adolescents from both intact and divorced families.