A–Z Glossary

Interactional cycle of conflict

An interactional cycle of conflict is a repeating pattern where each person’s reactions escalate and reinforce the next argument.

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Parent overwhelmed with child and constant conflicts

Parent overwhelmed with child and constant conflicts

Understanding why the conflict feels so intense When a parent says, “I cannot take one more argument,” they are often describing more than frustration. Repeated conflict activates stress physiology: sympathetic nervous system arousal, increased heart rate, muscle tension, narrowed attention, and a strong impulse to stop the situation immediately. In parenting research, the term parental […]