Marital quality, dyadic adjustment and coparenting
a comparative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2594-3871.2026v35i1e69528Keywords:
Marital Quality;, Coparenting;, Intacts Families, Remarried FamiliesAbstract
Marital and co-parenting relationships impact family dynamics and the socio-emotional development of children; however, it remains poorly understood whether these dynamics differ by family configuration. This study aimed to compare marital quality, dyadic adjustment, and co-parenting between first-married parents and remarried parents with children aged 6 to 11 years. Participants included 174 Brazilian caregivers, predominantly female, 123 in first marriages, and 50 remarried. The quantitative and comparative research analyzed indicators of marital satisfaction, parental coordination, and agreement in childcare. The results indicated significant differences between the groups, showing that participants in first marriages exhibited higher levels of co-parenting cooperation and consensus on parenting-related decisions than remarried parents. The relational complexity present in blended families proved to be a factor associated with less agreement in the conduct of parenting practices. It can be concluded that family configuration has repercussions on the quality of marital exchanges and on how parents coordinate the exercise of co-parenting.
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