Description
Studies have demonstrated that telomere length is influenced by a person’s perception of stressors and other studies suggest that interparental conflict is a stressor for children. The current study sought to determine if child perception of interparental conflict is a better predictor of telomere length than parent perception of interparental conflict. This study also sought to determine whether behavior problems are the medium for how child perception of conflict influences telomere length. Using multiple regression analyses between reports of interparental conflict, reports of child behavior problems, and child telomere length ratios, it was determined that child report of conflict was a better predictor of behavior problems and telomere length. Child report of behavior problems was the medium whereby child report of conflict predicted telomere length. While these results were not significant, it does provide the first evidence that child perception of interparental conflict influences telomere length more than parental report of interparental conflict. This suggests that intervention programs designed to reduce conflict between parents should include a method for helping children process their feelings about of interparental conflict to preserve telomere length.
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Details
Title
- Influence of Child Perception of Conflict on Telomere Length
Contributors
- Fuller, Austin David (Author)
- Lindstrom-Johnson, Sarah (Thesis director)
- Elam, Kit (Committee member)
- Ruof, Ariana (Committee member)
- School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2020-05
Resource Type
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