Arguing parents leave children unable to identify a range of emotions, new research suggests.
Seemingly harmless, everyday conflicts can make youngsters incapable of interpreting emotions that are not extreme, which may affect their relationships in later life, according to researchers.
This is thought to be due to such children learning to interpret parental anger as a time to retreat, while happiness suggests their surroundings are ‘safe’.
Shy children are particularly affected by such conflicts, the research adds.
Although children of argumentative parents are able to interpret extreme emotions, more subtle expressions pass them by, the study found.
Lead author Professor Alice Schermerhorn, from the University of Vermont, said: ‘The message is clear: even low-level adversity like parental conflict isn’t good for kids.’
Arguing parents have a lasting impact on their children’s mental health (stock)
How the research was carried out
The researchers analysed 99 children aged between nine and 11, of which 56 were male.
The children were shown photographs of actors posing as a couple expressing anger, happiness or neutrality towards one another, which they were asked to define.
They also reported on any conflict between their parents.
The youngsters’ mothers completed questionnaires regarding their children’s shyness.
Children of arguing parents are less able to read emotions
Results suggest children from low-conflict homes can accurately gauge emotions.
Youngsters whose parents argue can identify images of couples arguing or being happy, but are confused by those expressing neutrality.
Professor Schermerhorn believes this may be due to such children being overly vigilant, saying: ‘If their perception of conflict and threat leads children to be vigilant for signs of trouble, that could lead them to interpret neutral expressions as angry ones or may simply present greater processing challenges.’
Neutral expressions may also hold less weight for children with argumentative parents.
Professor Schermerhorn said: ‘They may be more tuned into angry interactions, which could be a cue for them to retreat to their room, or happy ones, which could signal that their parents are available to them.
‘Neutral interactions don’t offer much information, so they may not value them or learn to recognize them.’
Being shy also makes children less able to read emotions, even if they do not have temperamental parents.
Professor Schermerhorn added: ‘Parents of shy children need to be especially thoughtful about how they express conflict.’
Seemingly harmless, everyday conflicts can cause youngsters to experience anxiety (stock)
Could impact future relationships
Speaking of the impact of the study’s findings, Professor Schermerhorn said: ‘One the one hand, being over-vigilant and anxious can be destabilizing in many different ways.
‘On the other, correctly reading neutral interactions may not be important for children who live in high conflict homes, but that gap in their perceptual inventory could be damaging in subsequent experiences with, for example, teachers, peers, and partners in romantic relationships.’
She adds parents should ensure their children are aware they still care about each other even if they are arguing.
The findings were published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.