Investigating The Relationship Between Reflective Function and Parent-Child Conflict: The Moderating Role of Personality Traits

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master of General Psychology, Refah University, Tehran Province, Iran.

2 Professor of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Clinical Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran Province, Iran.

10.22098/jfrs.2025.18152.1259

Abstract

Objective: Parent–adolescent conflict is a normative yet challenging aspect of adolescence, shaped by factors such as parents’ reflective functioning and personality traits. These factors influence how conflicts are perceived, managed, and resolved. To examine whether personality traits moderate the relationship between reflective function and parent–child conflict among parents of adolescents.

Method: The study employed a correlational design with structural equation modeling. The sample consisted of 90 parents (aged 35–50) from the 12th district of Tehran, selected via voluntary sampling. Data were gathered using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Parent-Child Conflict Questionnaire, and the Reflective Function Questionnaire for adolescent self-assessment. Analytical methods included Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical regression analysis.

Results: Findings showed that reflective function is significantly and negatively related to parent-child conflict, explaining 13% of variance. However, personality traits such as agreeableness, flexibility, and extroversion did not significantly moderate this relationship. In contrast, neuroticism and conscientiousness demonstrated significant moderating effects, explaining 20% and 18% of the variance in parent-child conflict, respectively.

Conclusion: The results underscore the importance of considering specific personality traits—namely neuroticism and conscientiousness—when addressing the impact of reflective function on parent-child conflict. These findings have implications for parenting interventions and support tailored to individual parental characteristics.

Keywords

Journal of Family Relations Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 December 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 01 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 23 December 2025

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