Aggressive marital conflict, maternal harsh punishment, and child aggressive-disruptive behavior: evidence for direct and mediated relations. Journal   Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43). Citation   J Fam Psychol. 20(2):217-26 Publication date   2006 Jun Authors   Erath SA Bierman KL Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group Grant agencies   National Institute of Mental Health Grants   NIMH K05 MH 00797 NIMH K05 MH 01027 NIMH R01 MH 50952 NIMH R01 MH 50953 NIMH R18 MH 48083 NIMH R18 MH 50951 Abstract   Direct associations between aggressive marital conflict and child aggressive-disruptive behavior at home and school were explored in this cross-sectional study of 360 kindergarten children. In addition, mediated pathways linking aggressive marital conflict to maternal harsh punishment to child aggressive-disruptive behavior were examined. Moderation analyses explored how the overall frequency of marital disagreement might buffer or exacerbate the impact of aggressive marital conflict on maternal harsh punishment and child aggressive-disruptive behavior. Hierarchical regressions revealed direct pathways linking aggressive marital conflict to child aggressive-disruptive behavior at home and school and a partially mediated pathway linking aggressive marital conflict to child aggressive-disruptive behavior at home. Further analyses revealed that rates of marital disagreement moderated the association between aggressive marital conflict and child aggressive-disruptive behavior at home, with an attenuated association at high rates of marital disagreement as compared with low rates of marital disagreement.