Exploring Actor and Partner Effects in Associations Between Marriage and Parenting for Mothers and Fathers

Abstract

Objective. The authors assessed positive and negative qualities of mothers' and fathers' marital interaction behavior in relation to each parent's observed parenting sensitivity, applying the actor–partner interdependence model. Marital behaviors expressed (actor effects) and marital behaviors experienced (partner effects) were distinguished to explore spillover processes between marriage and parenting for mothers and fathers. Design. Positive and negative marital interaction behaviors of 70 mothers and fathers were rated from observations of a discussion task when children were in first grade. Parental sensitivity was represented by a latent factor derived from observational ratings of mother–child and father–child interactions in Grades 1, 3, and 5. Results. Experiences of marital hostility and marital withdrawal from their spouse undermined mothers' and fathers' parenting sensitivity (partner effects), controlling for each parent's own marital behaviors (actor effects) and each parent's psychological adjustment. Expressed supportive marital behavior was positively related to mothers' and fathers' own parenting sensitivity (actor effects), controlling for marital behaviors experienced and the parent's psychological adjustment. Conclusions. Partner effects for negative marital behaviors and actor effects for positive marital behaviors insinuate associations between marriage and parenting. Predictions from marital qualities to parenting are similar for mothers and fathers.