This article presents research from a recently completed study investigating the relationship between college-age offsprings' perceptions of several dimensions of interparental conflict (i.e., frequency, type, duration, and content) and indicants of adjustment (i.e., depression, externalizing behavior problems, dating, peer relationships, and attitudes toward marriage). Subjects were 320 (179 females, 141 males) undergraduate students from a southeastern university who met inclusion criteria as determined by an initial screening instrument administered to all students enrolled in the introductory psychology course. Subjects completed measures on demographic information, their perceptions of interparental conflict, and adjustment. Canonical correlations and follow-up stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that frequency of interparental conflict was the most important predictor of depression, externalizing behavior problems, and negative views towards marriage for the females. No significant relationships between interparental conflict and outcome were obtained for the males. The findings of this study indicate the importance of conducting a multidimensional analysis of interparental conflict, as well as gender differences, in response to interparental conflict.
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