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Support from Spouse as Mediator and Moderator of the Disruptive Influence of Economic Strain on Parenting
Author(s) -
Simons Ronald L.,
Lorenz Frederick O.,
Conger Rand D.,
Wu ChyiIn
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1992.tb01695.x
Subject(s) - spouse , moderation , psychology , structural equation modeling , developmental psychology , social support , association (psychology) , observational study , social psychology , medicine , statistics , mathematics , pathology , sociology , anthropology , psychotherapist
A model is presented regarding associations between economic strain, support from spouse, and quality of parenting. The model was tested using a sample of 451 2‐parent families, each of which included a seventh grader (age 12–13). Parent and adolescent reports, as well as observational ratings, were used as indicators of constructs. Analysis using structural equation modeling procedures indicated that level of spouse support was positively related to supportive parenting, whereas economic strain operated to undermine parental involvement. As posited, economic strain produced its effect through a direct relation with parenting and indirectly through its association with spouse support. These findings held for mothers and fathers, regardless of the gender of the child. Spouse support moderated the impact of economic strain on supportive parenting for mothers but not fathers. Possible explanations for this gender difference are presented.