Parents' Perception of Children's Problem Behaviors, Emotional Dysregulation, and Coparenting: Actor–Partner Interdependence Model

Coparenting plays a critical role in promoting family members' well-being and overall family functioning. However, the predictors and underlying mechanisms of coparenting-particularly the influence of child behaviors on parental interactions-remain insufficiently explored. This study employed a longitudinal actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) with a three-wave, two-year follow-up of 660 mother-father dyads of fourth-grade children (fathers: M_age = 34.95 years, SD = 5.59; mothers: M_age = 32.98 years, SD = 5.70). The study aimed to investigate the association between parents' perception of children's problem behaviors and their coparenting practices, with a particular focus on the mediating role of parental emotional dysregulation. Results indicated that parents' perception of children's problem behaviors significantly predicted their own coparenting behavior but did not directly influence their partner's coparenting behavior. Emotional dysregulation emerged as a key mediator: parents' perception of children's problem behaviors predicted their own emotional dysregulation, which in turn affected their own coparenting behavior. Furthermore, these perceptions also predicted their partner's emotional dysregulation, which subsequently influenced the partner's coparenting behavior. By adopting a child-effects perspective, this study offers new insights into the antecedents and mechanisms of coparenting and highlights emotional dysregulation as a critical mediating process. The findings provide empirical support for developing prevention and intervention strategies that promote healthier coparenting dynamics in families.