The goal of the present study was to examine whether loyalty conflicts and pressure to side to one of the parents mediate the association between the perception of interparental conflicts and the individuation process in young adults. In addition, we wanted to test whether positive dimensions of the parental relationship moderate the above mentioned associations. Participants were 538 Portuguese man and women with ages between 18 and 30 years. The results indicate that coalition mediates the effect of interparental conflict on the individuation of the young adult, and that the perception of reciprocal care and intimacy in the parental relationship moderates the association between interparental conflicts and individuation. Results were discussed according to the attachment theory and the development of the identity of the young adult.
interparental conflict; loyalty conflicts; individuation; attachment
