INTERGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD PARENTAL CONFLICT ON PARENTING STYLES AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN DISTRICT PESHAWAR, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

The present study examined the intergenerational transmission of childhood parental conflict to parenting styles and conflict resolution strategies of married daughters in District Peshawar, Pakistan. Childhood family conflict is recognized as a significant social and psychological problem that can impact emotional functioning, parenting, and adult relationships. The focus of the study was to explore the effect of parental conflict on parenting behavior, communication style and conflict resolution among married daughters in their own family. A qualitative research design and case study approach were employed to gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ lived experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with married daughters who had experienced parental conflict during childhood. The selection of participants used a purposive sampling technique, and the collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the major themes and patterns among the data. The results indicated that participants’ parenting styles, emotional responses, and marital communication were significantly affected by their childhood experiences of parental conflict. Participants described a variety of protective and emotionally supportive parenting behaviours to prevent repeating negative childhood experiences, and some described strict or avoidant communication patterns within their parental families. The study also revealed that the approaches used to resolve conflicts (silence, emotional withdrawal, aggression, negotiation, compromise) were strongly linked to childhood family experiences. The study concludes that parental conflict has long-term intergenerational effects on parenting behavior and family relationships. The study suggested the importance of parenting education, counseling services, emotional support programs, and healthy conflict resolution awareness for promoting positive family environments and emotional well-being.