The Moderating Role of Marital Adjustment in Relationship Between Perceived Maternal Parenting Styles and Family Functioning among Fathers

Abstract

The present study investigated the moderating role of marital adjustment in the relationship between perceived maternal parenting styles and the family functioning of fathers. It was qualitative cross-sectional research comprised of fathers (N = 200). The measures used in exploring the relationship were the Parental Authority Questionnaire (Buri, 1991), the Family ICPS Scale (Intimacy, Conflict, and Parenting Styles) developed by Noller. et. al, 1992, and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Crane, Bean, & Middleton, 2000). Following the analysis, correlation, t-test, ANOVA, and regression (through Hayes Process Macro) was run. The results emphasize the importance of marital adjustment and the marital relationship’s quality influencing the effects of maternal parenting styles on family functioning and it acknowledges that perceptions play a crucial role in shaping family dynamics. It was found that with high marital adjustment, permissive and authoritative parenting styles influence the dynamics of family functioning, and with low marital adjustment, authoritarian parenting styles influence family functioning. The results provide insights into the dynamics of fatherhood within the context of Pakistani families, shedding light on the important factors that influence paternal experiences and overall family well-being. Further research and interventions in this area can potentially enhance family relationships and explore additional variables, such as children’s involvement, cultural norms, and societal expectations, to deepen the understanding of the complex dynamics within families.