The Actor-Partner Interdependence Effects of Harsh Parenting and Co-Parenting on Parental Engagement

This study examines the effects of parents’ harsh parenting and co-parenting on parental engagement. 4,049 low-income married couples participating in the Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) evaluation study were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, which identifies how one parent’s harsh parenting and co-parenting behaviors influence their own parental engagement (actor-effect) and how their partner’s behaviors influence the parent’s engagement (partner-effect). More frequent maternal harsh parenting was associated with decreased levels of maternal engagement (actor-effect). The positive effects of co-parenting on each parent’s own parental engagement (actor-effect) were more substantial than the influence of their partner’s co-parenting on the engagement (partner-effect). To boost parental engagement, it is recommended to consider interdependent family dynamics, including actor and partner effects on parenting practices.