The longitudinal and bidirectional association between parenting stress and couples' relationship quality

Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal and bidirectional association between parenting stress and relationship quality, and whether the associations differed between married and cohabiting couples, using cross‐lagged panel models (CLPM) and random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel models (RI‐CLPM). Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Well‐being Study, the findings indicated that the RI‐CLPM model provided a better fit to the data compared to the CLPM model for mothers and fathers. The RI‐CLPM results showed high levels of stability in parenting stress and relationship quality over time, that parenting stress was associated with higher levels of relationship quality for both parents, and that the between‐person effect was similar for married and cohabiting couples. This study highlighted the importance of accounting for between‐ and within‐person variability.

Keeping your coparent in mind: A longitudinal investigation of mindfulness in the family system

“…Lastly, previous research has shown that by increasing parental mindfulness, one can improve child behavioral health outcomes (Bögels et al, 2014; Coatsworth et al, 2018). Given that children's behavioral difficulties can contribute to parenting stress (Williams & Parra, 2019) and to coparents’ relationship satisfaction (Mark & Pike, 2017), the clinical significance of the current findings is two‐fold.…”

“…Although fewer examinations of mindful coparenting exist, the broader literature on mindfulness may assist in conceptualizing how mindful coparenting can improve relationship quality. For example, mindfulness has been highlighted as a helpful tool in reducing parenting stress, which has been shown to increase relationship satisfaction among couples (Williams & Parra, 2019).…”

“…Although fewer examinations of mindful coparenting exist, the broader literature on mindfulness may assist in conceptualizing how mindful coparenting can improve relationship quality. For example, mindfulness has been highlighted as a helpful tool in reducing parenting stress, which has been shown to increase relationship satisfaction among couples (Williams & Parra, 2019). Since mindful coparenting is characterized by improved emotional regulation and receptivity between partners, it is plausible that these benefits would lead to similar reductions in parenting stress and higher perceptions of relationship quality.…”

Mapping the Concept, Content, and Outcome of Family-Based Outdoor Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

“…Based on experiences with a high number of participating families with a high level of marital discord, Bandoroff and Scherer [29] further argued that dysfunctional families are less suited for intensive wilderness treatment due to the lack of capacity for cohesive family processes. Previous findings have indicated that parenting stress and couples' relationship quality are empirically related [48]. Furthermore, participant characteristics presented in the study of juvenile status offenders by Pommier and Witt [2], also indicate a relationship between parental marital status and child difficulties.…”

Daily stress, closeness, and coping in romantic relationships during COVID-19-related lockdown: An experience-sampling study.

“…Interestingly, prior research has shown that the association between stress and relationship functioning may be somewhat more complex when examined within individuals (Hilpert et al, 2018; Milek et al, 2015; Williams & Parra, 2019). While some studies found that stress may (directly or indirectly) negatively impact relationship functioning on an intrapersonal level (Lavee & Ben-Ari, 2007; Sears et al, 2016), being more stressed than usual is not consistently associated with reduced relational well-being.…”