Predicting Coparenting Quality Among Adoptive Couples

Background and Purpose: Coparenting has been found to be associated with marital satisfaction (Edwards, Leonard & Homish, 2008), parent involvement (Brent & Thomas, 1998), child behavior problems (Lee, Beauregard, & Bax, 2005), and domestic violence (Katz & Low, 2004). Coparenting interventions have also showed promise in improving child and parent well-being among married and divorced families (Feinberg & Kan, 2008). Yet coparenting research has been conducted almost exclusively with biological parents. The current study explores the coparenting relationships of parents who have adopted a child. Research suggests that adoptive parents experience greater levels of caregiving burdens (Wendy & Marion, 2005). Yet when compared with biological parents, adoptive parents report similar or slightly higher levels of emotional and relational well-being (Cebello. Lansford, Abbey & Stewart, 2004). Guided by family systems theory and structural family therapy, the proposed study will examine the degree to which socioeconomic status (SES), child demands, and adult relationship characteristics predict coparenting quality among adoptive parents. Study findings will add to existing knowledge regarding the influence of diverse systems on the degree of collaboration and support between adoptive parents'. Additionally, findings will expand the construct of coparenting to more diverse family forms. Methods: This study reports the findings from a cross-sectional survey designed to assess the needs of adoptive couples in a Midwestern state. Participants included 96 adoptive mothers. Participants were recruited via letters sent through adoption agencies around the state. The mail questionnaire instrument included likert-type relationship characteristic scales (Dyadic Adjustment, Coparenting, Dyadic Coping, Conflict Resolution) as well as demographic items. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine the amount of variance in total coparenting that was explained by each block of variables (SES, child demands, and adult relationship characteristics). Next, the same model was tested with each of the coparenting subscales to determine differential patterns of relatedness with the predictors. Results: Regression results indicated that the final model significantly predicts total coparenting quality, (R2=.626, R2adj=.591, F(8, 85)=17.78, p<.001). The adult relationship characteristics and mothers' level of education significantly predicted coparenting quality while child characteristics did not. Further examination of the subscales revealed that demographic characteristics significantly predicted shared parenting but not coparenting solidarity and undermining. Dyadic coping was strongly predictive of both coparenting solidarity and shared parenting, but not undermining coparenting.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings suggest that the characteristics of adoptive parents' couple relationship, such as the way they resolve conflict, the degree to which they cope with stress together, and their marital adjustment, are strong predictors of their coparenting quality. The coparenting subscales were predicted in different ways by the predictor variables, supporting the notion that coparenting is a multidimensional construct. These findings suggest that social work interventions targeting the parents' relationship may have a greater impact on their coparenting relationship quality than targeting specific child characteristics or parenting burdens. Additional implications for social work practice with adoptive families are also discussed.