Coparenting and parenting stress of middle-class mothers during the first year: bidirectional and unidirectional effects

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the reciprocal effect of coparenting as a predictor of maternal parenting stress, and the influence of maternal parenting stress on coparenting. Coparenting and parenting stress are two essential factors that influence child development. The sample included 412 Korean mothers who completed surveys at 3, 6, and 12 months after giving birth. The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form was used to assess parenting stress across three domains, and the Parenting Alliance Inventory was used to evaluate coparenting. The data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling. The results demonstrated that the cross-lagged model between total parenting stress and coparenting showed a mixture of significant bidirectional and unidirectional effects depending on the time point. Additionally, the parent–child dysfunctional interaction and difficult child domains had significant bidirectional effects on coparenting, while the parental distress domain had significant unidirectional effects on coparenting. Maternal parenting stress should be understood in the context of the coparenting relationship, as there are unique bidirectional associations between coparenting and each subdomain of parenting stress. We recommend including content in parenting education programmes to help mothers better understand their child's temperament to reduce maternal parenting stress and eventually induce positive behaviours in the child.