Parent-child Relationship Satisfaction Research Articles

Too Much Screen Time or Too Much Guilt? How Child Screen Time and Parental Screen Guilt Affect Parental Stress and Relationship Satisfaction

ABSTRACT Recent decades have witnessed a surge in public discourse around the negative effects of media technologies. One of these public debates concerned the negative effects of child screen time on children’s development resulting in parental feelings of guilt and stress as parents struggle to limit their children’s screen use. Based on a social constructivist perspective, we suggest that parental stress around child screen time and subsequent relational strain with children is affected not simply by the amount of time children spend with screens but by the amount of guilt parents feel over allowing such use. Based on cross-sectional (N 1 = 140/N 2 = 474) and longitudinal (N = 192) data of American parents, evidence indicates that parental guilt around their child’s screen use enhances the amount of stress parents feel around their child’s screen time, which, in turn, relates to lower parent-child relationship satisfaction. Implications for future research and the public debate around child screen use as well as for the larger debate on digital well-being are discussed.

A systematic review of parental burnout and related factors among parents

BackgroundParenting is both a complex and stressful endeavor, so parents sometimes experience parenting burnout. The main objective of this study was to provide an overview of factors related to general parental burnout (PB) among parents with at least one child based on the Ecological Systems Theory (EST).MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, CNKI and WanFang were systematically searched for studies published from 2010 to July 2023 for peer-reviewed articles using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as “parenting”, “parental”, “burnout”, “psychological burnout”, “burn-out syndrome”. Studies were included if they described associations between factors and PB among parents of children aged 0-18 years old in the general population, and published in an English or Chinese language peer-reviewed journal. The Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD) was employed to assess the risk of bias of included studies.ResultsOf 2037 articles, 26 articles met the inclusion criteria. Based on the Ecological Systems Theory (EST), we found that microsystem-individual factors such as gender, educational level, income, parental personality, internalization of maternal parental motivation, unmitigated communion, self-compassion and concern for others, alexithymia, anxiety and depressive symptoms, parental perfectionism, resilience, low self-esteem and high need for control, mother's attachment style were identified as being associated with parenting burnout. Mesosystem-interpersonal factors involve parent-child relationship and marital satisfaction. The exosystem-organizational or community factors include the number of children in the household, neighborhood and the number of hours spent with children, child's illness, child's behavior problems and social support. The macrosystem-society/policy or culture factors are mainly personal values and cultural values.ConclusionsThis systematic review found several factors that have been investigated in relation to PB. However, the majority of the factors were reported by one or two studies often implementing a cross-sectional design. Nevertheless, we still recommend that health policymakers and administrators relieve parenting burnout among parents with children by adjusting these modifiable factors.

Medijacijska uloga negativnoga afekta u odnosima između stilova sukoba roditelja s adolescentima, zadovoljavanja triju osnovnih psiholoških potreba i zadovoljstva životom

COVID-19 pandemic has changed the psychological condition of parents due to changes in their place of activity and their increasingly complex roles in terms of work, children’s education, and households. The conditions have facilitated the increase in parents’ aggressive conflict styles with adolescents and the decrease in satisfaction of their basic psychological needs. Increased negative affect with indications of anger and emotional exhaustion was often found in parents during mandatory quarantine at home. Thus, parents’ decreased satisfaction of basic psychological needs, their conflict styles with adolescents, and increased negative affect may reduce their life satisfaction. This study investigated how negative affect mediates the relationship between parent-adolescent conflict styles and parents’ life satisfaction, as well as between satisfaction of basic psychological needs and life satisfaction. A total of 183 parents of adolescents completed questionnaires assessing parent-adolescent conflict styles, negative affect, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and life satisfaction. PLS-SEM was used to test hypotheses concerned with testing a theoretical framework from a prediction perspective when the structural model is complex. The hypothesized model performed excellently, as indicated by its predictive relevance and effect size on a significant path. Negative affect acts as a (1) full mediator in the relationship between satisfaction of basic psychological needs and life satisfaction, and (2) partial mediator between aggressive conflict style parent-child relationship and life satisfaction. The results of this study generally suggest that, to prevent each family member from developing adverse psychological problems, circumstances that necessitate quick changes in the family must be met with the pace of adaptation of family members. In general, the findings of this study imply that in limiting social conditions, family members are prone to committing and experiencing harshness and basic psychological needs frustration, thereby reducing their life satisfaction.

Shared Activities With Parents During Adolescence Predicts Health Risk Across Multiple Biological Systems 22 Years Later.

Although affectively focused dimensions of social relationships are associated with differences in health risk, less research has considered nonaffective features of relationships, such as engaging in shared activities. This study sought to test whether adolescents who engaged in more shared activities with their parents had lower health risk in early midlife across multiple biological markers. Using data from a nationally representative study ( N = 4801), prospective associations between shared activities with parents during adolescence and health risk classifications for measures of inflammation, renal function, glucose homeostasis, and cholesterol 22 years later were examined, along with the potentially confounding roles of childhood socioeconomic status and parent-child relationship satisfaction. Exploratory analyses considered possible indirect effects of cigarette use, alcohol use, and body mass index in adulthood. Engaging in more shared activities with parents was associated with a reduced likelihood of being classified in a high-risk health category for markers of inflammation ( B = -0.02, standard error [SE] = 0.01, p = .040), renal function ( B = -0.08, SE = 002, p = .001), glucose ( B = -0.06, SE = 0.23, p = .011), and high-density lipoprotein ( B = - 0.03, SE = 0.01, p = .021), and overall allostatic load ( B = - 0.02, SE = 0.02, p = .001), beyond demographic and health covariates. Controlling for parental income and relationship satisfaction largely did not affect observed associations. Exploratory tests of indirect effects imply that health behaviors in adulthood may partially account for observed associations. Engaging in more shared activities predicted more optimal health classifications 22 years later, suggesting that the amount of contact between parents and teenagers may have long-lasting beneficial health effects. Furthermore, consideration of nonaffective dimensions of family relationships may provide additional insight into associations between social relationships and health.

The higher levels of self-reported satisfaction, the lower risk of depressive symptoms: Evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional study in China.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the associations between several dimensions of self-reported satisfaction and the risk of depressive symptoms among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.MethodsThe China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of middle-aged and older adults. Depressive status was evaluated using the 10-item center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CESD-10), and self-reported life, health, marital status, parent-child relationship, and air quality satisfaction were adopted using Likert 5-point evaluation methods. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied to explore the association between satisfaction and depression risk.ResultsA total of 13,978 Chinese people aged over 45 years old were included in this study, and 35.7% of the participants had depressive symptoms. The GLM analysis indicated that all dimensions of satisfaction were negatively associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. For each 1-point increase in life, health, marital status, parent-child relationship, and air quality satisfaction, the incidence of depressive symptoms decreased by 60.8% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.392; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.370, 0.414), 56.3% (OR = 0.437; 95% CI: 0.418, 0.458), 41.8% (OR = 0.582; 95% CI: 0.555, 0.610), 37.2% (OR = 0.628; 95% CI: 0.596, 0.662), and 25.6% (OR = 0.744; 95% CI: 0.711, 0.778), respectively.ConclusionHigher satisfaction levels with life, health, marital status, parent-child relationship, and air quality are associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. Given the aging society and the increasing mental health problems of middle-aged and older adults in China, our study provides a comprehensive perspective for depression prevention and mental health improvement.

COVID-19-Related Stress and Resilience Resources: A Comparison Between Adoptive and non-Adoptive Mothers.

Despite an increasing interest in how adoptive parents deal with situations appraised as stressful, there is a lack of research regarding adoptive parents’ adjustment to the challenges posed by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The current study explores similarities and differences between adoptive and non-adoptive mothers in terms of risks (i.e., COVID-19-related stress) and individual (i.e., sense of coherence [SOC]), couple (i.e., partner's support), parent–child (i.e., parent–child relationship satisfaction), and social (i.e., friends’ support) resources in the face of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the present study was aimed at predicting which variables discriminate more effectively between the two groups. Participants were 445 Italian mothers (40.9% adoptive mothers), who were asked to fill in an anonymous online survey between May 2021 and October 2021. Results showed that adoptive and non-adoptive mothers reported different resilience resources to face the stressors posed by the health emergency. Specifically, COVID-19 traumatic stress symptoms, parent–child relationship satisfaction, and SOC were found to contribute most in discriminating between the two groups. Findings are discussed in relation to future research developments and practical implications.

Deaf and hard of hearing plus: Preliminary estimates of child and parent functioning.

Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) with additional special needs ("DHHPlus") have complex differences in psychological development that, when combined with aspects of their environment, often place them at an increased risk for psychological challenges. Further, their combination of special needs places unique demands on their parents. Despite the high proportion of DHH children in this particular subgroup, little research has been done to identify estimates of broad psychological functioning, the parent-child relationship, parent stressors, and parent satisfaction with resources independent of other samples. This study addresses that gap through collecting preliminary data on broad psychological functioning and related parent-child variables in a sample of children who are DHHPlus. Thirty-one primary caregivers of children who were DHH with additional medical and/or mental health diagnoses completed several questionnaires about their child and family, including the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) Parent Rating Scale, BASC-2 Parenting Relationship Questionnaire, and Family Stress Scale. The current DHHPlus sample was separated into two subgroups by age, including a preschool group (ages 2-5 years, n = 14) and child group (ages 6-11, n = 17) for visual comparison of mean scores with respective normative and clinical samples from each measure. When compared to normative and clinical samples, parents of DHHPlus children endorsed more concerns about their child's behavior, adaptive skills, the parent-child relationship, and higher levels of family-related stress, with a unique rank order of family stressors. Results provide initial child and parent estimates to support assessment and treatment services for this diverse and underserved population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Effects of Physical Residential Environment on Depression in the Elderly: The Moderating Effect of the Parent-child Relationship Satisfaction

본 연구의 목적은 물리적 주거환경이 노인의 우울에 미치는 영향을 살펴보고, 그 과정에서 자녀관계 만족도 가 조절변수로 기능하는지를 확인하는데 있다. 이를 위하여 한국복지패널 14차년도(2019년) 조사자료를 활용하 여 65세 이상인 자 중에서 자녀와의 관계 만족도에 응답한 4,512명을 대상으로 선정하여 위계적 회귀분석을 실 시하였다. 연구결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 주거환경이 최저주거기준에 미달할수록 노인의 우울 정도는 높아지 는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 자녀관계 만족도가 높을수록 노인의 우울 정도는 낮아지는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 노인의 자녀관계 만족도는 주거환경과 상호작용하여 노인의 우울에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 즉, 자녀관계 만족도가 높을수록 주거환경이 노인의 우울에 미치는 영향이 감소하였다. 끝으로 본 연구결과에 기반하여 노인 우울의 경감에 기여할 수 있는 실천적정책적 시사점을 제시하였다.

Transitioning to University with a Mental Illness: Experiences of Youth and their Parent

Despite extant research suggesting the important role of family in supporting youth with disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities) making the transition to university, family relational influences on youth with mental illness undergoing this transition remains unclear. Adopting a family resilience perspective, this mixed-methods study aimed to examine (a) how parent-child relationship factors relate to youths’ mental illness symptoms and well-being and (b) youth and parent perspectives on how parents can best support youth in this transition. A total of 225 youth with mental illness (aged 17–23, M = 18.43, SD = 0.91, 87% white) completed questionnaires assessing parent-child relationship satisfaction, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and life satisfaction. For 22 of these youth, a parent (aged 45–57, M = 49.77, SD = 3.57, 100% white) completed questionnaires assessing caregiver burden and reward. Parents (and their child) completed written responses addressing what youth most need from parents during this transition. Parent-child relationship factors were moderately associated with youth mental illness and well-being. Thematic analysis indicated much agreement and some difference between youth and caregivers on the aspects of parental support most valued during this transition. Implications for supporting such youth as they adapt to university are discussed.

Parent-Child Relationship Satisfaction and Psychological Distress of Parents and Emerging Adult Children

This study examined the associations between parent-child relationship satisfaction and psychological distress among emerging adult children and their parents. It also investigated whether these associations varied across ethnic groups. Based on related theories and research, we hypothesized negative “actor” and “partner” associations between parent-child relationship satisfaction and psychological distress among both the parents and emerging adult children, with a stronger “actor” association among parents. We also hypothesized that the negative “actor” association between emerging adult children’s relationship satisfaction with their parents and their own psychological distress would be stronger among Hispanic emerging adult children than among their non-Hispanic peers. The sample included 183 non-Hispanic and Hispanic parent-emerging adult child dyads. Emerging adult children were recruited from two large universities in the U.S. Both the emerging adult children and their primary parents were invited to participate in an online survey and reported their parent-child relationship satisfaction, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and demographics. Results from Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) revealed a significant association between parents’ relationship satisfaction with their emerging adult children and their own psychological distress (“actor effect” for parents). Further, a moderating effect by ethnicity was found such that the association between emerging adult children’s relationship satisfaction with their parents and their own psychological distress was stronger among Hispanic emerging adult children than among their non-Hispanic peers (stronger “actor effect” for Hispanic emerging adult children). These findings have important implications for researchers and practitioners regarding intergenerational relationships and ethnic/cultural differences.

The Association between the Number of Chronic Diseases and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Elderly Men and Women: The Moderating Effect of Marital Satisfaction

본 연구의 목적은 남녀 노인을 대상으로 만성질환 수와 우울감의 관계에 대한 배우자 관계 만족도의 조절효과를 알아보는것이다. 연구 대상은 2016년도 고령화연구패널조사(Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing: KLoSA)에 참여한 65세 이상의 기혼 남성노인 585명과 여성 노인 460명이다. 주요 분석 변수는 만성질환 수, 배우자 관계 만족도, 우울감이며, 선행연구에서 노년기 우울감에유의미한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타난 연령, 교육수준, 가구소득, 자녀와의 관계 만족도, 주관적 건강상태, 인지기능, 현재 흡연 여부그리고 배우자의 만성질환 수를 통제변수로 설정하였다. 조절효과를 탐색하기 위해 SPSS WIN 25.0을 사용하여 중다회귀분석을 실시하였다. 분석의 주요결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 남성 노인의 만성질환 수가 우울감에 미치는 영향에 관한 배우자 관계 만족도의 조절효과는통계적으로 유의하였다. 남성 노인의 경우 배우자 관계 만족도가 낮은 집단에서 만성질환 수는 우울감을 유의하게 증가시키는 요인이었지만, 높은 집단에서는 만성질환 수가 우울감에 미치는 영향이 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 둘째, 여성 노인의 만성질환 수가 우울감에미치는 영향에 관한 배우자 관계 만족도의 조절효과는 유의미하지 않았다. 본 연구는 남녀 노인의 만성질환 수가 우울감에 미치는영향에 대한 배우자 관계 만족도의 조절효과가 성별에 따라 다른 것을 발견하였으며, 특히 노인 만성질환자가 정신적으로 건강한노년기를 영위할 수 있도록 배우자라는 자원을 적극적으로 활용하는 방안의 실천적 개입의 필요성을 시사한다.The present study aimed to examine the moderating effects of marital satisfaction (MS) on the association between the number of c hronic d isease (CD) a nd d epressive s ymptoms (DS) among ol der men and women. T he 6 th w ave of t he K orean L ongitudinal Study of Ageing was utilized and the sample was married men (N=585) and women (N=460) aged 65 and over. Multiple regression analysis using SPSS WIN 25.0 and Process Macro was used to test moderating effects of MS. Control variables were age, education, household income, parent-child relationship satisfaction, self-rated health, cognitive function, current smoking status and CD of spouse. Resul ts f rom elderly men showed the moderating effect of MS was significant. Specifically, those with more CD were more likely to report higher level of DS in the low MS group. However, the effect of CD on DS was not significant in the high MS group. Results from elderly women showed the moderating effect of MS was not significant. This study showed the moderating effect of MS on the association between CD and DS differed by gender in later life. It suggests practical intervention to utilize the resources of spouses is in need to promote mentally healthy aging even though having chronically ill in later life.

Autonomy and parent-child relationship satisfaction: the mediating role of communication competence

ABSTRACT Research shows that autonomous individuals have greater psychological well-being and high-quality relationships. The present study, from a communication perspective, aimed to understand the dynamics between child autonomy, communication competence, and parent-child relationship satisfaction. Participants in this study were 169 parent-young adult child dyads. Results showed that autonomous children reported being more communicatively competent, and both themselves and their parents reported greater satisfaction. Further, mediation analyses showed that child autonomy was positively associated with children’s satisfaction with parents through their disclosure competence, and child autonomy was positively associated with parents’ satisfaction with children through child conflict management competence. Overall, the findings revealed that young adult child being autonomous was beneficial to both themselves and their parents.

Parent–Child Relationship Satisfaction: The Influence of Family Communication Orientations and Relational Maintenance Behaviors

This study examined emerging adults’ satisfaction with parent–child relationships as a function of family communication orientations and relational maintenance behaviors. Two hundred and eleven emerging adults completed measures assessing family communication orientations (conversation and conformity), relational maintenance behaviors (shared tasks, shared networks, positivity, openness, and assurances), and satisfaction with parent–child relationships. Results demonstrated that family conversation orientation and relational maintenance behaviors were positively associated with relationship satisfaction; family conformity orientation was not related to relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, findings indicated support for a model in which positivity and openness mediated the association between family conversation orientation and children’s satisfaction with parent–child relationships.

The Association between Social Support and the Change in Depressive Symptoms among Baby Boomer

본 연구는 베이비부머의 사회적 지지(배우자 관계 만족도, 자녀 관계 만족도, 사회적 관계 접촉 빈도, 참여모임 수)가 우울감 변화에 미치는 영향과 이에 대한 성별의 차이를 확인하고자 수행되었다. 이를 위해 고령화연 구패널조사(Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging: KLoSA) 5차(2014년)와 6차(2016년) 자료를 활용하여 분석을 시행하였으며, 연구대상은 베이비부머(1955년생부터 1963년생)로 5차와 6차 자료 모두에서 배우자와 자녀가 있다고 응답한 사람이다(N=1,210). 독립변수인 사회적 지지는 배우자 관계 만족도, 자녀 관계 만족도, 사회적 관 계 접촉 빈도, 참여모임 수로 측정되었으며, 종속변수는 우울감 변화이다. 시차효과모델을 적용한 회귀식을 통해 우울감 변화를 통계적으로 모형화하였으며, 통제변수의 영향과 사회적 지지의 영향, 성별의 차이에 따른 영향을 단계적으로 탐색하기 위하여 위계적 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 각각의 사회적 지지와 성별의 상호작용항을 투입하여 분석을 실시한 결과, 사회적 지지가 우울감 변화에 미치는 영향에 관한 성별의 차이는 발견되지 않았다. 배우자 관계 만족도와 자녀 관계 만족도는 우울감 변화에 대한 주효과가 발견되었지만 사회적 관계 접촉 빈도와 참여모임 수는 우울감 변화와 통계적으로 유의미한 관련성이 없는 것으로 나타났다. 즉, 배우자와 자녀로부터의 지지는 베이비부머의 우울감을 낮추는 데 긍정적으로 작용하였으며, 이러한 경향성은 남성과 여성 베이비부머에게서 동일하게 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 다양한 사회적 지지들 중 특히 부부관계와 자녀와의 관계의 질을 향상시키는 것이 베이비부머의 우울감 감소를 위해 중요하다는 것을 시사한다.This study aimed to investigate the association between social support and the change of depressive symptoms and its difference by gender among Korean Baby Boomer. We used the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) 5th (in 2014) and 6th waves (in 2016). Samples were Korean Baby Boomer (born 1955 to 1963) who have spouse and children(N = 1,210). Dependent variable was depressive symptoms and independent variables were four social support variables (spousal relationship satisfaction, parent-child relationship satisfaction, frequency of social contact, and number of participation groups). Interaction variables between social support and gender were also included in the model. Hierarchical regression analysis with the lagged dependent variable was performed. Results showed that the higher the satisfaction of spousal relationship and the satisfaction of parent-child relationship, the less the depressive symptoms increased. All interaction variables were not significant. These findings mean that the support from the spouse and the child is helpful in lowering depressive symptoms, and the associations between social support and depressive symptoms are not different by gender among Baby Boomer. It implies that interventions for enhancing family relationships, especially spousal relationship and parent-child relationship, may be useful to reduce depressive symptoms among Korean Baby Boomer.

Positive parenting improves multiple aspects of health and well-being in young adulthood.

Aspects of positive parenting have previously been linked to better offspring health and well-being1,2, though often, individual outcomes have been examined separately. Examining multiple outcomes simultaneously, over multiple aspects of parenting, may provide a more holistic picture of the parenting-health dynamics3,4. Methodological limitations such as reverse causation-good childhood outcomes that make parenting easier-also remain a concern in many previous observational studies5. Here we examined the associations between multiple aspects of parenting (including parent-child relationship satisfaction concerning love, parental authoritativeness and family dinner frequency) and various subsequent offspring psychosocial, mental, behavioural and physical health and well-being outcomes. We analysed longitudinal data from the Growing Up Today Study 1 (N = 8,476, mean baseline age = 12.78 years) and Growing Up Today Study 2 (N = 5,453, mean baseline age = 17.75 years). Both parenting and health outcomes were based on offspring self-reports. The results suggest that greater relationship satisfaction was associated with greater emotional well-being, lower risk of mental illness, eating disorders, overweight or obesity and marijuana use. To a lesser extent, greater parental authoritativeness and regular family dinner were also associated with greater offspring emotional well-being, fewer depressive symptoms, lower risk of overeating and certain sexual behaviours. This study strengthens the evidence for a public health focus on improving parenting to promote population health and well-being.

Investigating the Elements of Parent-Child Relationship and Parental Satisfaction among Mothers with Breast Cancer without Breast Cancer and Comparing Them with Each Other

The purpose of this study was to investigate the elements of parent parent communication patterns and parental role satisfaction among mothers with breast cancer and non-breast cancer and compare them with each other. 60 women with breast cancer and 60 women without breast cancer were selected as samples from hospitals in Tehran. They responded to parent-child communication pattern and parental role satisfaction questionnaires. Independent T-test was used to analyse the data. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the mean of mothers with and without breast cancer in terms of relationship and lack of aggressive attachment. The mean of mothers with breast cancer was higher in admission and independence, but the mean of mothers without breast cancer was higher in aggressive control. The mean of mothers without breast cancer in parental role satisfaction was significantly higher than that of mothers with breast cancer.

Transactions within the family: Coparenting mediates associations between parents' relationship satisfaction and the parent-child relationship.

In the current study, we examined the potential for transactional relations among parents' marital satisfaction, coparental cooperation and conflict, and parent-child relationship satisfaction in a sample of 249 families with 2-3-year-old children. Using a novel multiwave design with frequent assessments to better capture transactional family processes, mothers and fathers were assessed across 5 waves with 2-month lags; mean age of the target children (53% girls) was 2.8 years (SD = 0.62) at baseline. Cross-lagged, multilevel structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses using an actor-partner interdependence modeling framework revealed coparental cooperation and conflict as likely mechanisms within the family system. Specifically, marital satisfaction from both parents was reciprocally linked to fathers' coparental cooperation over time, supporting transactional links between those two family subsystems. In addition, there were significant transactional links between both mothers' and fathers' coparental cooperation and father-reported parent-child relationship satisfaction across time, revealing within-parent and cross-parent mediation. Regarding coparental conflict, marital satisfaction from both parents was reciprocally linked to the same parents' reports of coparental conflict across time (i.e., actor effects). Furthermore, father-reported coparental conflict acted as a mediating or intervening mechanism between father-reported marital satisfaction and mother-reported parent-child relationship satisfaction (cross-parent mediation). Taken as a set, the findings supported coparental cooperation and conflict as significant links between marital functioning and the parent-child relationship. Findings build on a growing body of literature addressing the transactional associations embedded within the family system and highlight the importance of modeling the inherent interdependencies between mothers' and fathers' reports of family functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record

Cherish the good times: Relational savoring in parents of infants and toddlers

AbstractSavoring, or prolonging emotions associated with positive events, improves emotion and life satisfaction; little work, however, focuses on the savoring of interpersonal experiences, termed relational savoring. In a sample of 435 parents, the authors evaluated the impact of relational savoring on emotion and parent–child relationship satisfaction compared to a personal savoring and neutral control condition. Two years later, the authors reassessed parents' feelings of closeness with their children in a subsample of the original participants (n = 64). Both savoring conditions resulted in higher positive emotion for all parents, whereas the effects on negative emotion, relationship satisfaction, and closeness were only present for those higher in attachment avoidance. This study opens new avenues of investigation in both relational savoring and parent–child relationships.

Sharing information with children conceived using in vitro fertilisation: the effect of parents’ privacy orientation

Objective: To examine the moderating effect of parents’ approach to sharing information with children on the outcomes of information-sharing about in vitro fertilisation (IVF) conception. Background: Mental health professionals encourage parents to share information about IVF conception with their children, but limited research is available on associations among information-sharing, parent–child relationship quality and child adjustment. Predictions based on Communication Privacy Management Theory suggest that how parents share private information with children will moderate the association between sharing information about a child’s IVF conception and parent–child relationship quality and indirectly affect child adjustment. Method: Study hypotheses were tested using a sample of 175 families with 246 6- to 12-year-old children conceived using IVF. Path models hypothesised associations among information-sharing, parent privacy orientation, parent–child relationship satisfaction and child behavioural and emotional adjustment. Results: The results supported the proposed process. Among parents with an ‘open’ privacy orientation, IVF information-sharing with children positively related to parent–child relationship quality (r = .19, p = .03). This association was negative when parents had a ‘restricted’ privacy orientation (r = –.34, p = .01). In turn, relationship quality affected child adjustment. Conclusion: Children conceived using IVF report wanting to know about their conception method and infertility counsellors often recommend information-sharing. These findings support the need to better understand IVF information-sharing processes, and parents who favour a ‘restricted’ privacy orientation may require additional support to promote open communication with children about their IVF conception.

자기성장 프로그램 참여가 노년기 여성의 자아통합감과 가족관계만족도에 미치는 효과

The objective of this study was to test the effects of participating self-growth program on ego-integrity and family relationship satisfaction of the elderly women. The subjects were 15 elderly women of low education. The levels of ego-integrity, including life attitudes, wisdom toward life, acceptance of life, and acceptance of death, and family relation satisfaction were measured before and after completing the program sessions. The program of eight sessions was conducted twice a week, for two hours. A significant difference in ego integrity, relation satisfaction with children, and relation satisfaction with grandchildren was found between pre- and post-test scores. The results show that elderly women can benefit from programs enhancing ego integrity and relation satisfaction with offspring. This study can be utilized in the Healthy Family Support Centers or the elderly welfare program for improvement of ego-integrity and parent-child relationship satisfaction of the elderly.