Couple relationship quality, coparenting, and fathering in Taiwan

Abstract

This study examined connections among couple relationship quality, coparenting, and mother and father involvement in 100 families from urban Central Taiwan. Fathers and mothers with at least one school-age child completed questionnaires regarding their couple satisfaction and consensus, coparenting techniques and consistency, and involvement in caregiving, socialisation, physical play and exploration, outdoor games and sports, leisure, and positive communication activities with their children. Findings revealed associations among levels of father involvement in various activities, and between mother and father involvement, particularly, in similar activities. Findings also revealed connections between mother and father perceptions of the couple and coparenting relationship and father involvement in a variety of activities. Father perceptions of coparenting techniques and coparenting consistency, and mother report of her involvement practices emerged as the most consistent predictors of father involvement across the six activity types. These findings highlight the importance of interconnectedness, cooperation, and shared roles amongst coparenting partners, and are reflective of collectivist cultural norms in Asian societies which stress concern for and cooperation with others in social relationships.

Keywords:

• father involvement
• coparenting
• couple relationship
• culture
• Asian families