START DATE AND DURATION: September 2021Inter-parental conflict is a typical part of relationships, however, when experienced in high frequency and intensity such conflict is associated with many negative outcomes for children including poorer social and emotional development and an increased risk of internalising disorders in adolescence (Cummings & Davies, 2002; Rhoades, 2008; Cui et al., 2007). However, the impact of such inter-parental conflict within women experiencing clinical mental health difficulties during the perinatal period is unclear.
This PhD project aims to explore the presence of inter-parental conflict in women accessing NHS Perinatal Mental Health Services, and it’s relationship with a number of infant and family outcomes such as infant attachment security and parenting behaviours. The project will also consider whether the delivery of the Circle of Security-Parenting programme is effective in reducing inter-parental conflict and the associated infant and family outcomes.
