Drew from 47 parents' reports over a 15-day period to compare characteristics of marital conflict when children (8-16 years) were present versus absent. Found that mothers described 669 incidents of conflict and fathers described 551 incidents. About two-thirds of marital conflicts occurred in children's absence. Child-present conflicts were more negative (more negative emotions, more destructive conflict tactics) and were more often about children than were child-absent conflicts. (Author/KB)