Child well‐being in the context of family harmony: Parental marital relationship as mediator and parent–child attachment style as moderator

Abstract

Extant research in Western countries have indicated that children's well‐being may be influenced by children's own resilience, parent–child attachment, and parental marital relationship. Yet, there is very little research in Malaysia on how these factors may influence well‐being among children in middle childhood. The aim of this study, therefore, was to explore the relationships among children's self‐efficacy—a resilience factor—and well‐being, parental marital relationship, and parent–child attachment style. The study used a quantitative, cross‐sectional survey method. Participants were 955 Malay‐Malaysian children aged 11 years from intact families. They responded to a questionnaire on demographic background, self‐efficacy, well‐being, parental harmony and conflict, and parent–child attachment style. Moderated mediation analysis indicated that (i) parental harmony was a significant mediator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being; (ii) parental conflict was not a significant mediator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being; and (iii) parent–child attachment style was a significant moderator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being. These findings are discussed within the frameworks of optimal child development and family relationship. These findings may also inform policies such as Malaysia's Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) and National Family Policy.

Social harmony and community wellbeing

“…It is also found that children's well‐being may be influenced by children's own resilience, parent–child attachment, and parental marital relationship. Parental harmony was a significant mediator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being; parent–child attachment style was a significant moderator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being (Mohd‐Zaharim & Hashim, 2023). On the other hand, belongingness can play an important role in community well‐being.…”