Financial Stress, Parenting Quality, and the Moderating Effect of Co-parenting Alliance within the Marital Dissolution Population

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between the perception of financial stress (measured by income inadequacy), parenting quality (measured by positive parenting, consistent discipline, and good supervision), and the moderating effect that cooperative co-parenting (measured by co-parenting alliance) were investigated within a sample of parents who were separated, filing for divorce, and in post-divorce. Social Exchange Theory (SET) as well as Parenting Alliance Theory (PAT) were used as a guiding framework for the study. PROCESS were used to conduct the moderation analyses. Analyses showed a significant, positive relationship between financial stress and all three indicators of parenting quality (i.e., positive parenting, consistent discipline, and good supervision). Analyses further showed a moderating effect of co-parenting alliance on the relationship between financial stress and the discipline and supervision aspects of parenting quality. Co-parenting alliance did not moderate the effect of financial stress on the positive parenting aspect of parenting quality. These findings contradict existing literature pertaining to the relationship between financial stress and parenting quality. Implications of the results were discussed.