This study tested the theoretical proposition that family histories of destructive adult conflict reduce children's emotional security. Subjects were 112 children--ages 6, 11, and 19 years--with equal numbers of males and females in each age group. Subjects viewed the videotapes of an adult couple engaged in either a destructive conflict or a constructive conflict. Next, both groups of children witnessed a standard conflict between the same couple. To assess the impact on emotional security, children were then interviewed concerning their negative emotional reactivity, avoidance of conflict, and internal representations of future adult hostility. Results showed that the destructive conflict histories elicited greater insecurity among children across all three assessment. However, insecurity was expressed in different ways across age and gender. (WP)