How Parental Conflicts Affect A Child’s Health

Many couples may think that the effect of their arguments and conflicts are limited to them only. Not true.

High levels of disagreement, aggression, raised voices and abusive language have a catastrophic effect on the children. They are at risk for mental and physical health issues.

If you have an argumentative relationship with your partner, seek couples and family therapy. A properly trained therapist can help you and your partner resolve chronic conflicts, discover underlying problems, and provide you with tools to replace toxic communication patterns with healthy ones.

Effects Of Parents’ Conflict On Children’s Health

Children whose parents often fight regularly may suffer from the following problems:

• Aggressive Behavior

The effects of parents’ conflicts on children can be very devastating. Children who see their parents fighting ugly will mirror the behavior. They learn that the only way to solve any problem is through aggression.

Regular destructive disagreements at home can stunt children’s development of problem-solving skills of children.

• Health Issues

Children who see their parents fighting constantly feels guilty, anxious, stressed and helpless. These feeling can lead to chronic stress and clinical depression. Studies suggest children are at risk of developing sleep disorders, eating disorders and phobias.

Children who belong to volatile households are also at a higher risk of using and abusing substances.

• Low Performance At School

The tense atmosphere of the home hinders children’s mental development and growth. Studies show these children have below average academic performance. Also, their immunity system of the children is comprised by the stress of parents’ fighting and frequently miss school due to illness. This makes keeping up with school instruction difficult.

• Emotional Strain

According to the experts, a high-conflict home environment impedes a child’s cognitive development. They feel emotionally stressed by watching episodes of physical and emotional abuse in their home. Witnessing the parent’s fights at the early stage of life may develop emotional insecurity in the children. They can suffer from low self-esteem and confidence. This affects their friendships and, later in life, their careers.

• Not Able To Make And Keep Relationships

A child who grows in a dysfunctional family is limited in experiencing the positive aspects of life. They may see fights, disagreements and physical abuse as the norm. As a consequence, they find it difficult to trust and maintain a good relationship with others.

What Should You Do?

If you think your fighting is out of control, seek family therapy for the sake of your children and their future.

Author’s Bio: Sunny Skousen is an experienced writer who has over 20 years of experience in ghostwriting, blogging, journalism, speech writing, and content marketing. She specializes in writing about Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Faith-Based Counseling, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Grief/Loss and Trauma, Supervision and Consultation, and more!