The effects of marital quality on coparenting: A cross-level mediation analysis based on the common fate model

Abstract

Bronfenbrenner’s ecosystem theory suggests that the different experiences of family members jointly shape the ecological environment and atmosphere of the family, and there may be interdependences between two parents in a family. Previous literature aimed to solve research questions at the family or dyadic level, but their analyses were mainly conducted at the individual level. To solve this issue, we adopted the common fate model (CFM), which better explains the interdependence in intimate relationships at the family or dyadic level. The common fate variable is modeled as a potential variable with two indicators. Based on the common fate model, this study explored the effect of family marital quality on the coparenting and the cross-level mediating role of the parenting sense of competence between couples. Questionnaire data were collected from 650 families including both fathers and mothers whose children (ranging from 4 to 7 years old) are in Shanghai kindergartens by using stratified cluster sampling. The results indicated that: (1) marital quality positively predicted supportive coparenting and negatively predicted undermining coparenting within a family; (2) family marital quality positively predicted each parent’s parenting sense of competence; (3) each parent's parenting sense of competence positively predicted supportive coparenting and negatively predicted undermining coparenting; (4) each parent’s parenting sense of competence mediated the relationship between family marital quality and supportive and undermining coparenting. Higher marital quality in the family helped to increase each parent's parenting sense of competence, which in turn increased supportive coparenting and decreased undermining coparenting. This study explored the cross-level mediating effect of parenting sense of competence between marital quality and parental coparenting using the common fate model in a longitudinal study. It combined the family level (marital quality and coparenting) and the individual level (parenting sense of competence), providing theoretical support and guidance for creating a good family environment and further promoting the development of the common fate model. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first application of the common fate model in the study of Chinese families. The findings may have practical implications on the wellbeing of Chinese families.