The relation between parental marital quality and parent-child attachment security: A three-level meta-analysis

Parental marital quality significantly influences parent-child attachment security. Previous empirical studies have produced inconsistent conclusions regarding whether this relation is positive, as indicated by the spillover hypothesis and emotional security theory, or negative, as suggested by the compensation hypothesis. In response, this study further clarified the magnitude of the relation between parental marital quality and parent-child attachment security utilizing a three-level meta-analysis. A systematic literature search identified 69 studies involving 21,346 participants and 366 effect sizes. The analysis revealed a significant positive relation between parental marital quality and parent-child attachment security (r = 0.251, p < .001). Moreover, the present meta-analysis observed significant moderating effects concerning children's age, culture, research design, and measures of parent-child attachment security, as well as dimensions, informants, and measures of parental marital quality. These findings offer valuable insights for interventions aimed at improving parent-child attachment within the context of family dynamics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).