Can peer support buffer against behavioral consequences of parental discord?

Abstract

Hypothesized that support from peers might moderate the potential negative impact of marital discord on children's behavior problems. Subjects were 96 children from ethnically diverse backgrounds from fourth to sixth grade. Children completed the Social Support Scale for Children and Adolescents (Harter, 1985) in their classrooms, and were also interviewed individually regarding parental discord using items from the Children's Perceptions Questionnaire (Emery & O'Leary, 1982). Teachers rated the children's behavior problems. Analyses revealed a significant interaction between friendship support and parental discord, indicating that support from close friends may help to moderate the negative impact of marital dicrod on children's behavior. These fundings provide an important addition to the literature on marital discord, and suggest that children's friendship may represent an important factor in their coping with such a life stressor.