All families have disagreements 鈥� but when does parental conflict become harmful to children? A new book co-authored by a University of 91吃瓜 psychologist offers insight into how growing up in a discordant family affects child development.
鈥淢arital Conflict and Children: An Emotional Security Perspective鈥� by , professor of psychology at 91吃瓜, offers a new conceptual framework on children鈥檚 emotional security and behavioral development within the context of marital conflict.
Employing both laboratory and home-based studies, the book explores such topics as the types of conflict that are most distressing to children; when parental conflict can be constructive; and the links between marital relations, parenting practices and emotional attachment.
As director of 91吃瓜鈥檚 鈥淭he Happy Couples and Happy Kids Project,鈥� Cummings specializes in the psychology of children and families, and has conducted extensive research on how marital conflict negatively influences a child鈥檚 development. He also was a founder of 91吃瓜鈥檚 Center for Children and Families, a community resource where parents can learn strategies for constructive conflict resolution.
A nationally recognized expert on children鈥檚 emotional development, Cummings also has authored 鈥淐hildren and Marital Conflict: The Impact of Family Dispute and Resolution.鈥� He frequently serves as an expert resource for national publications and broadcast media.
Contact: Mark Cummings, 574-631-4947 or ecummings@nd.edu