EARLY EXPERIENCES WITH FAMILY CONFLICT - IMPLICATIONS FOR ARGUMENTS WITH A CLOSE FRIEND

This study examined associations between children's early experiences in family disputes and their later management of conflicts with a clos e friend. Thirty-seven children were observed interacting with their m other and older sibling at 33 months and with a friend at 72 months. C hildren's early use of argument was not associated with their later be havior during disputes with a friend. However, argument used by the mo ther and sibling that considered the child's needs was positively asso ciated with the child's later use of constructive argument and resolut ion techniques. The mother's use of argument that focused on her own n eeds was negatively related to these outcomes. These associations were independent of global characteristics of the mother-child and sibling relationships. Moreover, the mother's use of argument predicted the c hild's later conflict management independent of the child's early argu ment patterns, emotion understanding, and verbal fluency.