Factors affecting coparental relationships

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Anne Hopkins Fishel (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
John Scanzoni

Abstract: This study tested whether and how support and conflict in coparental relationships, as perceived by mothers, are influenced by selected context variables and the negotiation process engaged in by separated or divorced spouses. Fifty-one Caucasian women, separated no more than 26 months, selected by either random sampling or convenience methods, were interviewed by the researcher using a structured interview guide. The process of decision making about the children as well as resulting perceptions of support and conflict within the coparental relationship were investigated, using a negotiation instrument developed by the researcher, and Ahrens's quality of coparental relationship scale. Reliability of the instruments was high. The coparental relationships reflected more support than conflict. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the negotiation process was more predictive of support and conflict than were the context variables. Fifty-seven percent of the variability in coparental relationship support was explained while only 16 percent of the variability in coparental relationship conflict was explained. A high support relationship was characterized by successful negotiation first, followed by more frequent coparental discussions, mother's higher educational level, and fewer children. Conflict in the coparental relationship was affected by competitive negotiation first, followed by more children.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 1985
Subjects
Divorced parents $x Attitudes
Single parents $x Attitudes
Parenting

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