Marital dissatisfaction, psychological control and parent-child conflict in Chinese families - An actor-partner interdependence model analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID2928284
AuthorsJanet T Y Leung (0000-0003-2648-5707, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, corresponding author), D T L Shek (0000-0003-3359-6229, Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Lydia Man Hang Kwok (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong), Eunice Tsz Yan Yung (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)
Year2022
Volume39
Issue12
Pages3596-3618
Publication date2022-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075221102634
OpenAlexW4281259660
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited67

Although family systems theories highlight the associations of marital quality with parenting practice and parent-child relationship, studies examining individual and inter-spousal linkages of marital dissatisfaction with psychological control and parent-child conflict among Chinese families are almost non-existent. Adopting the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM), dyadic interdependence in the associations of marital dissatisfaction with psychological control and parent-child conflict were examined in a sample of 386 Chinese families in Hong Kong. Fathers, mothers and adolescent children were involved in the data collection (Mfather's age = 48.7; Mmother's age = 44.7; Mchildren's age = 14.6; 53.1% of adolescents were boys). Results showed that while father-perceived marital dissatisfaction was positively associated with paternal and maternal psychological control, mother-perceived marital dissatisfaction was not. Moreover, marital dissatisfaction perceived by each parent was linked to greater conflict between their children and the other parent, but it was not associated with his/her own conflict with children. The findings showed that Chinese fathers who perceived greater marital dissatisfaction might spill over their stress and hostility from marital dissatisfaction to practicing paternal psychological control and trigger their spouse to exercise maternal psychological control for their children. Besides, poorer marital satisfaction might be linked to conflictual relationship between their children and their spouse, hence increasing the risk of family triangulation. The present study suggests the importance of adopting a family-based intervention approach in helping Chinese parents facing marital dissatisfaction

Developmental psychology · Hostility · Interpersonal communication · Intervention (counseling · Marital relationship · Partner effects · Psychiatry · Spouse · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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