Coparenting Dimensions and Preschooler Outcomes: A Network Analysis in Only-Child and Multi-Child Families

Coparenting behaviours predict various child outcomes, yet the specific dimensions that are most influential remain unclear, presenting challenges for the development of intervention strategies. This study used network analysis to map the interconnectedness of coparenting dimensions (integrity, disparagement, conflict, and reprimand) and preschool child outcomes, aiming to identify coparenting behaviours that are closely related to child problems. A total of 752 Chinese parents of preschool children ( M _age = 4.76 ± 0.89) reported both their coparenting behaviours and their children’s strengths and challenges. We estimated the relative importance of each node in this network and found that maternal integrity, disparagement and conflict were the most influential nodes, with disparagement showing comparatively lower bridging centrality. Child problems in the emotional and conduct aspects were found to be more centralized within the coparenting network than problems in the social or attention aspects were. Network connectivity remained consistent across birth order, although maternal disparagement was more closely associated with emotional symptoms in Children in Multi-Child Families ( p  < .01). The results indicate the comparable significance of negative and positive coparenting behaviours in shaping child adjustment and their critical role as intervention targets to reduce child problems.