An opposite pattern emerged among 7− adolescents: Perceived interparental conflict was associated with higher levels of threat, but perceived positivity was not. These results clearly contradict hypotheses derived from both the DST and vantage sensitivity perspectives. It is important to note that DST and vantage sensitivity conceptualize environmental sensitivity as a matter of degree (plasticity) rather than as falling into discrete categories (sensitive vs. fixed). Even individuals who would be categorized as “fixed” can be influenced by sufficiently strong environmental exposures (e.g., intense interparental conflict; Ellis et al., 2011). These findings suggest that exposure to interparental conflict is sufficiently potent to affect 7− adolescents’ threat appraisals, which is consistent with research highlighting interparental conflict as one of the most stressful social experiences children identify (Lewis, Siegel, & Lewis, 1984). However, additional studies are needed to explore these findings for 7− adolescents.
