The predictive role of marital satisfaction on the parental agreement

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of marital satisfaction on similarities in parenting styles.

Design: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 617 Iranian father-mother dyads in 2018.

Methods: During a systematic sampling method, Afrooz Marital Satisfaction Scale and Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire were administered. The data were analysed using a t test, a chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression.

Results: Results showed that 71.47% of the couples exhibited agreement in parenting styles and that 82.50% reared their children in an authoritative manner. The logistic regression indicated that increased marital satisfaction among fathers (AOR: 3.19; CI: 2.06, 4.92) and mothers (AOR: 2.74; CI: 1.76, 4.25) could elevate the odds of correspondence in parenting styles. The findings suggest that agreement on parenting styles should be considered when evaluating marital satisfaction in couples. Intervention targeting marital satisfaction to improve parental agreement is recommended.

Keywords: child‐rearing; co‐parenting; marital conflict; parenting; parenting styles.