Maternal positive coparenting and adolescent ego-identity: the chain mediating role of fathers' marital satisfaction and adolescent peer relationships

Wanghua Ji; Rui Ming Lan; Peng Ma; Hongpo Zhang; Lijun Fan

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1227941

Maternal positive coparenting and adolescent ego-identity: the chain mediating role of fathers' marital satisfaction and adolescent peer relationships

Front Psychol. 2023 Sep 22:14:1227941. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1227941. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wanghua Ji¹, Rui Ming Lan², Peng Ma³, Hongpo Zhang¹, Lijun Fan⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Management, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
² School of Media and Exhibition, Fujian Business University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
³ School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
⁴ College of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui, China.

Abstract

Introduction: Based on the ecological systems theory and the family systems theory, this study explores the mechanisms underlying the effects of maternal positive coparenting on adolescent ego-identity.

Methods: This study employed the Maternal Positive Coparenting Scale to assess mothers, the Father Marital Satisfaction Scale to examine fathers, and the Adolescent Peer Relationship Scale, along with the Ego-Identity Scale, to evaluate adolescents. This comprehensive approach involved investigating 522 families, encompassing both parents and adolescents.

Results: The results obtained indicate a significant positive correlation between maternal positive coparenting and adolescent ego-identity. Peer relationships mediated the relationship between maternal positive coparenting and adolescent ego-identity. Father marital satisfaction mediated the relationship between maternal positive coparenting and adolescent ego-identity insignificantly. Paternal marital satisfaction and adolescent peer relationship have a chain mediating role between maternal positive coparenting and adolescent ego-identity. The study contributes by offering insights from the perspectives of family and peer relationships for further enhancing the development of adolescent ego-identity.

Keywords: adolescents; coparenting; ego-identity; marital satisfaction; peer relationships.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project in Henan Province, China (Grant No. 2022BSH017). Construction of Ideological and Political Model Course for Universities in Henan Province (Grant No. 2021-068).