Scope Of Relations Research Articles

Observed and reported coparenting and toddlers' adaptive functioning

AbstractThis study examined the associations between perceived and observed coparenting and toddlers' adaptive functioning. Seventy‐seven typically developing toddlers aged between 21 and 27 months and their biological parents residing in Ireland participated in the study. Participating families were Caucasian and English speaking. Parents' perceived coparental relationship was assessed via self‐report. In addition, coparenting dynamics were observed during triadic free‐play and structured‐play tasks. Mothers reported on their toddlers' adaptive functioning. Results indicated a negative association between undermining coparenting and toddlers' social and communication adaptive skills. Findings from the current study highlight the critical role played by triadic family processes in young children's development.Highlights This study examined associations between the coparenting relationship and toddlers' adaptive functioning. The coparenting relationship was assessed via parental self‐reports and observations during triadic family play interactions. Toddlers' adaptive functioning was assessed using maternal reports. Findings indicated a negative relationship between undermining coparenting and toddlers' adaptive skills. The coparenting relationship is foundational to young children's development. More research in this area is required to disentangle the various pathways by which this family sub‐system can influence toddlers' developmental outcomes. This can help in future intervention planning for enhancing the coparenting relationship.

French Adaptation of the Coparenting Relationship Scale

Abstract. The Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS) is a 35-item parent-reported questionnaire designed to assess the quality of the coparental relationship. It was designed in the United States and validated in English. We present in this article a French adaptation of the CRS. A total of 399 participants from the French-speaking part of Switzerland (146 fathers, 253 mothers) completed the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the theoretically grounded seven-factor structure of the original instrument was valid to explain the structure of the Swiss data. Metric measurement invariance was achieved when comparing mothers and fathers, but only configural invariance was achieved when comparing the original US sample and the Swiss sample. Intercultural differences may possibly explain this result. Convergent validity was tested against parent-reported task sharing and health-related issues in children. Results of multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed theoretically coherent links between the dimensions of the French version and these variables. The French version of the CRS is thus a valid instrument to assess the coparental relationship.

Experiences of intergenerational co-parenting during the postpartum period in modern China: A qualitative exploratory study.

Most studies conducted in the West on the role played by intergenerational families in co-parenting have focused mostly on families with a single mother or those in difficult circumstances, while little is known about the experiences of members of intergenerational intact families during the early postpartum period. This study aimed to explore the intergenerational co-parenting experiences of young parents and grandmothers in China, focusing on how they shared the responsibility of caring for the new mother and infant during the postpartum period. A total of 16 eligible intergenerational intact families, including 16 mothers, 15 fathers and 12 grandmothers, were interviewed. The data set was analysed using the approach of directed content analysis guided by Feinberg's Ecological Model of Co-parenting. The data were categorized into four themes: 'division of labour', 'postpartum and infant care agreement', 'support-undermining' and 'joint family management'. An additional theme, 'expressed a need for family support', emerged from the data on these intergenerational families. The findings emphasize the importance of intergenerational co-parenting relationships in families where two generations co-parent the newborn together.

Importance of Self‐Esteem for the Parental Couple: Testing for Actor and Partner Effects

ObjectiveThis study investigated the actor and partner effects of self‐esteem on the quality of the parental couple relationships: the romantic relationship and the coparental relationship. The mediating role of romantic quality also was considered.BackgroundPrevious findings suggest that self‐esteem affects the quality of the romantic relationship. Yet few studies have focused on self‐esteem in the parental couple or explored self‐esteem related to the coparental relationship, both of which play a significant role in the nature of the family unit.MethodUsing data from two independent samples (including 2,549 couples), actor–partner interdependence models were tested to analyze the effects of self‐esteem on both relationships of the parental couple.ResultsParents with high self‐esteem reported higher romantic quality, as did their partner. Self‐esteem also showed actor and partner effects on negative coparenting. Accordingly, parents with high self‐esteem reported fewer conflicts about the child and fewer undermining behaviors. In contrast, the link between self‐esteem and positive coparenting received little support. However, when mothers had high self‐esteem, they engaged more frequently in positive coparental behaviors, such as including the father. Finally, romantic relationship quality mediated the actor and partner effects of self‐esteem on negative coparenting.ConclusionHaving high self‐esteem appears to be a couple resource with beneficial effects for both parents.ImplicationsImproving parents' self‐esteem could be an important gateway for enhancing the functioning of families with romantic and coparental difficulties.

Coparenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum: a Systematic Review and Call for Research

A high-quality coparenting relationship among families of typically developing children has been shown to be beneficial for both parental and child outcomes. Nevertheless, these results cannot be generalized to parents of a child on the autism spectrum, as they are confronted with very different parenting demands. This systematic review aims to investigate the factors associated with coparenting a child on the autism spectrum. We systematically conducted this review according to the PRISMA statement. Twelve databases were searched and nine articles met the criteria for inclusion after screening. The findings suggested that certain factors such as parenting stress and satisfaction with the division of childcare-related labor are important aspects of coparenting a child on the autism spectrum. There was also some evidence to suggest that autism symptom severity may influence the coparenting relationship. However, the studies were limited by their number and heterogeneous methodologies. Further studies are needed to develop a greater understanding of risk and protective factors, as well as how the coparenting relationship affects the child on the autism spectrum throughout different stages of development. We provide recommendations to guide future research and discuss the implications for clinical practice towards the end of this systematic review.

Stress and family relationships among college student parents: A mixed methods study

College student parents represent a unique population because they are typically low-income, accrue more debt than traditional students, and must balance the role of student and parent. Using a mixed methods design, this study examined the relation between college student parents’ stress and distress in their relationships with their children and examined how parents managed their multiple roles. Parent participants ( n = 80; 54 mothers, 26 fathers; M age = 28.74 years, SD = 4.72) completed an online survey and a subsample ( n = 14) participated in semi-structured interviews. Results revealed that college student parents experience a variety of stressors that spillover into their relationships with their children and these associations appear more detrimental for father-child relationships. However, in-depth qualitative interviews not only highlighted the various sources of stress (e.g., time demands, multiple roles), but also revealed internal and external resources that college student parents draw on to help cope with stressors. Findings suggest that program efforts to strengthen the co-parenting relationship and to help college student parents more effectively manage their stress may be beneficial for improved parent-child relationships.

Well-Being and Stability among Low-income Families: A 10-Year Review of Research.

Scholarship on families in poverty, in the last decade, documented various struggles and challenges faced by low-income families and expanded our understanding of their complicated life circumstances embedded within the contexts of community, culture, and policies. The research articles published in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues during this time, that highlighted poverty, focused primarily on three topic areas: economic security, family life issues, and food security. Overall, findings conclude that family well-being and stability cannot be promoted without the consideration of environmental factors. They depend on the interaction among individual (e.g., increased human capital), family (e.g., positive co-parental relationship), community (e.g., affordable childcare), and policy changes (e.g., realistic welfare-to-work programs). Collectively, the articles have provided a road map for future research directions.

The Swedish Brief Coparenting Relationship Scale: Psychometrics and Concurrent Validity Among Primiparous and Multiparous Fathers

ObjectiveThis study aims to test the reliability and validity of the Swedish translation of the Brief Coparenting Relationship Scale (B‐CRS) among Swedish fathers.BackgroundThe transition to parenthood is a challenging period for many parents, but high‐quality coparenting can promote parental mental health, self‐efficacy, positive parenting skills, and children's healthy development. However, no study has validated a measure of coparenting for Swedish parents. In addition, it is unknown whether primiparous and multiparous fathers' coparenting differs.MethodFor this pilot study, 170 fathers of infants participated in an online survey and completed a follow‐up survey 6 months later.Resultst‐Tests comparing primiparous and multiparous fathers showed no significant differences, and, therefore, these participants were grouped together for subsequent analyses. This reinforces that the coparenting relationship, is consistent and thus reflects its importance for couples to develop high‐quality coparenting with their first child. Consistent with previous research from other countries, this study demonstrates good internal consistency with the B‐CRS. Six subscales were highly correlated with the overall B‐CRS score: Coparenting Agreement, Endorsement of Partner's Parenting, Coparenting Closeness, Coparenting Support, Coparenting Undermining, and Exposure to Conflict. Better coparenting quality, as measured by the B‐CRS, was linked to lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of father–infant bonding.ConclusionsThese results support the use of the B‐CRS in Sweden as a reliable and valid measure of coparenting.ImplicationsCoparenting should be given greater consideration in future studies of new parent experiences and adjustment in Sweden.

A Cross‐Lagged Panel Model of Coparental Interaction and Father Involvement Shortly After Divorce

ObjectiveTo examine (a) associations among coparental interaction (cooperation, overt conflict, covert conflict) and father involvement (engagement, in‐kind financial support), (b) associations among the three dimensions of coparental interaction, and (c) associations among the two dimensions of father involvement, shortly after divorce.BackgroundFamily relationships change shortly after divorce, yet little research has examined coparental interaction and father involvement shortly after divorce and overt and covert conflict are often not included.MethodMothers and fathers from different families in a southeastern state (N = 194) participated within 3 months after divorce (Time 1) and 3 to 6 months later (Time 2). A cross‐lagged structural equation model was used to examine reciprocal associations among dimensions of coparental interaction and father involvement.ResultsHigher father engagement and lower overt conflict (Time 1) were associated with higher cooperation (Time 2). Covert conflict was associated with later overt conflict. In‐kind support was not associated with later father engagement or coparental interaction. No reciprocal associations among variables were found.ConclusionCoparental conflict and father engagement may be salient to the development of later coparental relationships following divorce.ImplicationsPractitioners can help parents manage conflict and encourage father engagement to foster healthy coparental relationships after divorce.

The effect of co-parenting on children’s emotion regulation under fathers’ perception: A moderated mediation model of family functioning and marital satisfaction

Abstract This study constructed a moderated mediation model, focusing on the role of family functioning and marital satisfaction, to clarify the mechanism between co-parenting and children’s emotion regulation in China. A total of 646 valid questionnaires were retained which were filled out by fathers, and their children came from 12 primary and secondary schools in China (M = 12.30, SD = 1.11). Data were collected and analyzed with SPSS 23.0 and SPSS PROCESS written by Hayes. Results revealed that: (1) Co-parenting relationship is positively related to children emotion regulation; (2) Family functioning partially mediates this association; (3) Marital satisfaction respectively moderates the effect of co-parenting relationship on family functioning and family functioning on children’s emotion regulation. When marital satisfaction is low, co-parenting has a stronger positive effect on family functioning, and when marital satisfaction is higher, family functioning has a stronger positive effect on children’s emotion regulation. Certain implications can be provided for guiding parents in properly cultivating the ability of children emotion regulation.

New fathers' parenting quality: Personal, contextual, and child precursors.

Fathers' high-quality parenting behaviors support the development of positive social and emotional adjustment in children. However, a complete understanding of individual differences in fathers' parenting quality requires considering multiple precursors to parenting in the same model. This study examined associations of three classes of predictors with fathers' parenting quality: personal (i.e., personality, intuitive parenting behavior, and progressive beliefs), contextual (i.e., supportive coparenting, romantic relationship quality, job satisfaction), and child characteristics (i.e., temperament). These predictors of observed parenting quality (i.e., sensitivity, emotional engagement, positive regard) were examined among 182 fathers who transitioned to parenthood in 2008-2010. Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicated that fathers who showed higher-quality parenting behavior with their 9-month-old infants were those who demonstrated greater intuitive parenting behavior prior to their child's birth, reported greater conscientiousness, reported greater openness to experience, and had more supportive coparenting relationships with their partners at 3 months postpartum. Implications for future research on fathers' parenting and applications to prevention and intervention programs for expectant and new parents are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluation of a Statewide Implementation of Fathers for Change: a Fathering Intervention for Families Impacted by Partner Violence

A substantial number of families are involved with the child welfare system because of children’s exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), which has significant impact on the health of the entire family. This study presents a program evaluation for a statewide implementation of a fatherhood focused individual and family treatment for men referred by the child welfare system and provided by six community mental health agencies. Data from 204 fathers and their coparents referred to Fathers for Change (F4C) were analyzed to assess a) the feasibility of F4C and b) the impact of the intervention on IPV as measured by mothers’ reports on the Abusive Behavior Inventory, children’s exposure to conflict on the Coparenting Relationship Scale, and fathers’ symptoms. Completion rates for the program were 73%. Age, race, severity of IPV and alcohol misuse were not associated with drop out, but those with significant drug use problems were 2.3 times more likely to drop out. Among treatment completers, mothers reported significantly reduced IPV and children’s exposure to conflict, with medium to large effect sizes. Fathers reported significant improvements in their emotion regulation, parental reflective functioning, as well as anger and hostility. F4C was feasible with high completion rates and significant reductions in IPV and children’s exposure to conflict.

Adaptação das versões completa e breve da Escala de Relação Coparental (ERC) em uma amostra comunitária de pais e mães portugueses

A Escala de Relação Coparental (ERC) é uma das medidas mais utilizadas para avaliar a relação de coparentalidade. Pretendeu-se avaliar as propriedades psicométricas das versões completa e breve da ERC numa amostra comunitária de 779 pais e mães portugueses, com idades entre os 23 e os 65 anos (M = 42.73; DP = 5.27). As análises fatoriais confirmatórias forneceram evidências de um bom ajustamento dos dados, fiabilidade interna e validade convergente, ainda que em ambas as versões tenha sido eliminada a dimensão Divisão de tarefas parentais. Quando à validade discriminante, duas das sete dimensões – Acordo nas práticas parentais e Suporte coparental – não evidenciaram validade discriminante. A validade concorrente também foi testada e confirmada através das correlações entre das dimensões da ERC e as dimensões da RDAS (ajustamento diádico) e do SDQ (ajustamento infantil).

The Repercussions of Parental Depression for Perceptions of Coparental Cooperation

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigates the repercussions of parental depression for perceptions of coparental cooperation.BackgroundDepression is a common mental health condition that can interrupt the family system by constraining mothers' and fathers' abilities to perform parenting roles. There are also reasons to expect that the relationship between depression and coparental cooperation varies by parents' residential and repartnership status.MethodIn this article, the authors used longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,494) and structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between parental prior and current depression and coparental cooperation, the explanatory power of four sets of mediators (relationship status and quality, parenting stress, economic well‐being, and child behavior), and how residential and repartnership status moderate the associations between parental depression and coparental cooperation.FindingsResults suggest three primary findings. First, both prior and current maternal and paternal depression had repercussions for coparental relationships. Second, the association between parental depression and coparental cooperation was indirect, operating predominately through relationship status and quality. Third, the association between parental depression and coparental cooperation was, by and large, not contingent on parental residential status or repartnership status.ConclusionThese findings elucidate the pathways and contingencies through which parental depression alters the coparental relationship.

Instruments for the Assessment of Coparenting: A Systematic Review

In light of the increasing variability in family structures, coparenting has attracted growing attention as a crucial dimension on which to evaluate children’s mental health across different family structures. In this study, we present a systematic review of the available measures for the assessment of coparenting. After duplicate removal, screening, and eligibility assessment, 26 instruments were selected. Due to the importance of the coparental relationship to children’s mental health, special attention was paid to the characteristics that contribute to enhancing the instruments’ suitability for use in clinical contexts. The results show a great increase in the number of published instruments designed to assess coparenting. The review also found some instruments to be more suitable than others for use in clinical contexts due to their time-efficiency, their psychometric properties and/or to other dimensions. This review reinforces the importance of developing instruments that allow for the assessment of coparenting and contributes to the body of knowledge in the field by offering information of interest to professionals dealing with families.

Coparenting Supports in Mitigating the Effects of Family Conflict on Infant and Young Child Development.

Family conflict has a profound impact on infants and young children's social-emotional and behavioral development. In work with infants and young children, it is critical to understand the ways in which conflict between coparents infiltrates the family system, creating less than optimum environments for young children. Current research suggests that children who are surrounded by family conflict lag behind in the development of social, emotional, and regulatory skills. Developing a clear understanding of the ways in which children need to be supported through solid coparental relationships is essential because young children's sense of safety and security enables them to optimize their developmental capacities. This report and analysis of supports for coparenting also reviews the literature on the effects of coparental conflict on children. Considering the mother-father-child triangle and the benefits of coparenting to the young child, particularly in families in which conflict exists, enhances our work with families. An exploration of the opportunities for integrating coparenting supports into services for families is discussed, and a case for incorporating these strategies into treatment protocols is made. Recommendations for further research on the use of coparenting supports to buffer the effects of family conflict on infants and young children are proposed.

Peran Agreeableness dan Resolusi Konflik Terhadap Co-parenting Pada Pasangan Dual- Earner

Dual-earner couples are husband and wife who both work. This couple faces challenges in dividing the roles as parents and as workers. To overcome these challenges, they need to work together, one of which is in terms of parenting. This study aims to determine the role of agreeableness, conflict resolution, and the quality of co-parenting on X Hospital staff and their partners in Surabaya. The hypothesis in this study is that there is a significant role of agreeableness and conflict resolution on co-parenting. The subjects of this study were 39 pairs who live in Surabaya. This research is a correlational quantitative research. Data were obtained using the Big Five Inventory (BFI), PREPARE/ENRICH, and The Co-Parenting Relationship Scale. The results of this study indicate that there is a role for agreeableness and conflict resolution on co-parenting (F = 11.79; p < 0.001). Specifically, agreeableness had a significant role in co-parenting (t = 4.838; p < 0.001) and gave an effective contribution of 23.5% while conflict resolution did not play a significant role.

Modes of Communication between High-Conflict Separated Parents: Exploring the Role of Media Multiplexity and Modality Switching

ABSTRACT Much of the work on media multiplexity theory (MMT) is based on unestablished relationships, in which more channels are presumed to be indicative of higher relational closeness. But a different set of relational dynamics may be at play in preexisting acrimonious partnerships. In this article, we investigate the use of different modes of communication by high-conflict separated parents (media multiplexity), and map changes in modes of communication (modality switching). Qualitative data from 68 separated parents in Australia who reported chronic parental acrimony suggest that a considerable amount of modality switching occurred post-separation. Consistent with MMT, multiplexity was evident but the degree of multiplexity was not as clearly related with the degree of closeness in the co-parental relationship as would be otherwise predicted by MMT. Recent insights into more pernicious forms of family dynamics set an important challenge for communication theories to better account for ex-couple motivational complexities.

Engaging parents in community-based support to develop co-parental relationships that positively impact on their children: a voluntary sector perspective

The importance of community engagement as part of a strategy to reduce conflict between children’s parents is becoming increasingly recognised by central government. This paper presents the experiences of volunteers and voluntary sector staff delivering a community-based relationship support initiative. Findings and recommendations reflect that extensive work is required to manage expectations in community-based initiatives and that cultural resistance and environmental barriers pose a challenge to engaging parents in community-based support.

The effect of childhood unpredictability on co-parenting relationships during the transition to parenthood: A life history approach

Recent extensions to life history theory posit that exposure to environmental unpredictability during childhood should forecast negative parental behaviors in adulthood. In the current research, this logic was extended to co-parental behaviors, which refer to how parents coordinate, share responsibility, and support each other’s parental efforts. The effects of early-life unpredictability on individual and dyadic co-parental functioning were examined in a sample of 109 families (two parents and their firstborn child) who were followed longitudinally from before the child’s birth until the age of two. Greater early-life unpredictability (family changes, residential changes, and parents’ occupational changes by age 8) experienced by mothers, but not fathers, predicted more negative co-parental behaviors in triadic observations 6 months post birth, and lower couple-reported co-parenting quality assessed 3, 9, 18, and 24 months post birth. These effects were not explained by parents’ childhood socioeconomic status or current relationship quality. These findings highlight the role of mothers in shaping co-parenting relationships and how these relationships might be influenced by mothers’ early-life experiences.