Psychological and Relationship Predictors of Supportive and Undermining Coparenting

Whereas supportive coparenting behavior (warm, cooperative) is linked to better child social-emotional development, undermining coparenting behavior (hostile, competitive) is associated with problems in child social-emotional development such as aggression and inattention. However, few studies have examined prenatal precursors of coparenting behavior in the child's first year. This study examined associations between parental psychological and relationship characteristics during the third trimester of pregnancy and observed coparenting behavior at 3 and 9 months postpartum. Data were obtained from 182 expectant couples. Parental psychological and relationship characteristics were measured via questionnaires in the third trimester. The characteristics assessed included perspective-taking, empathy, and personal distress (Interpersonal Reactivity Index), expected self-efficacy (Parenting Expected Self-Efficacy Scale), relationship dedication, confidence, and constraint (Commitment Inventory), avoidance and anxiety (Experiences in Close Relationships Scale), and relationship conflict (Negative Interaction Scale). Observed coparenting at 3 and 9 months was assessed using 5-minute mother-father-infant free-play tasks. A series of five point rating scales was used to assess coparenting behavior from these videotaped interactions. Correlation analyses indicated that fathers' characteristics are more closely associated with coparenting behavior than mothers' characteristics. Thus, attention to expectant fathers’ characteristics may be especially useful for pinpointing expectant couples at risk for coparenting problems to help ultimately create better environments for children’s social-emotional development.National Science FoundationNational Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentOhio State University's Institute for Population ResearchThe Department of Human Development and Family ScienceUndergraduate Research Office Summer FellowshipThe College of Education and Human Ecology Undergraduate Research ScholarshipUndergraduate Research Office Monthly Research Scholar AwardNo embargoAcademic Major: Human Development and Family Scienc