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Conflict with the in-laws isn't exactly a new concept. You can find in-law jokes going all the way back to Shakespeare and beyond. Today, cracks about the in-laws are a sitcom staple, but trouble with your spouse's parents isn't a laughing matter. In fact, dysfunctional family relationships can have a profound and enduring impact. It can severely affect both your physical and mental health, as noted by BMJ Global Health. And it's not only the warring adults who suffer. Children caught in the middle of the conflict will also pay a price, both physically and emotionally, no matter how you might try to shield them from the stress and strain.