Conflicts between parents profoundly affect not only their own physical and mental health, but also the physical and mental health of their children. Deniz Aykol Ünal, a Specialist Clinical Psychologist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Near East University Yeniboğaziçi Hospital, warns that family conflict can lead to long-term psychological problems in children. “Children who grow up in an environment of conflict are negatively affected by this emotional and physical tension, and may also experience problems in interpersonal relationships.” said Ünal.
“Children who watch their parents argue can lose their sense of trust, perceive themselves as the cause of these conflicts, and feel guilty.” said Specialist Clinical Psychologist Ünal, and emphasized that these situations profoundly affect children’s self-perception, their relationship attitudes, and their overall quality of life.
Some children exhibit aggressive behavior, while others may withdraw!
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Deniz Aykol Ünal stated that arguments have serious emotional effects on children, saying, “Children often feel anxious, frightened, or upset during arguments. It’s quite common for them to harbor intense concerns about the survival of the family unit or their own safety.” Noting that this situation can also lead to behavioral problems in children, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Ünal said, “Some children exposed to intense conflict exhibit more aggressive behavior, while others may become completely withdrawn. Sleep problems are also quite common. Fear of the dark, difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, and night terrors are common.”
It also affects physical health!
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Ünal emphasized that a conflicting family environment can even affect children’s brain development, saying, “A child’s brain is constantly on alert when exposed to intense arguments, and their levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise.” Ünal noted that this situation impacts not only emotional but also physical health, adding, “Constant stress can manifest itself with symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also disrupt a child’s emotional balance.”
“They May Have Difficulty Forming Healthy Relationships!”
Deniz Aykol Ünal also stated that children growing up in a conflicted environment can also affect their future lives. “These children may struggle to form healthy relationships due to trust issues. They may feel responsible for their parents’ arguments and believe they are not good enough.” Ünal also emphasized that these feelings can lead to low self-esteem and recurring relationship conflicts in adulthood. Clinical Psychologist Ünal stated that it’s impossible to completely eliminate disagreements between parents, saying, “When discussed respectfully and constructively, children learn that these disagreements can be resolved peacefully.” Clinical Psychologist Ünal stated that this helps children develop healthy relationships in the future, adding, “It’s important to remember that happy parents raise happy children.”
Healthy communication is an essential building block of all relationships!
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Deniz Aykol Ünal stated that arguments between parents stem from a variety of causes, and that factors such as “Different Upbringing Styles”, “Lack of Communication”, “Financial Problems”, “Unequal Distribution of Responsibilities”, “External Factors”, and “Neglecting One’s Own Needs” all trigger family conflicts. “Healthy communication is an essential cornerstone of all relationships. If there isn’t a healthy communication channel between couples, arguments become inevitable.” said Deniz Aykol Ünal, emphasizing the importance of healthy communication and mutual understanding in identifying and resolving these problems.