Patterns of Intergenerational co-Parenting Relationships in Chinese Families With Infants and Toddlers: A Latent...

Within the context of limited childcare resources and a high prevalence of multigenerational co-residence in China, grandparents play a pivotal role in the caregiving of infants and toddlers. However, discrepancies in parenting philosophies across generations may lead to conflict, thereby impacting maternal psychological well-being and parenting experiences. Identifying the typologies of intergenerational co-parenting relationships is therefore essential for informing targeted health interventions.

This study aimed to identify latent profiles of mother-grandparent intergenerational co-parenting relationships in families with infants and toddlers in Shenzhen, China, using the Grandparent-Parent Co-parenting Relationship Scale (GPCRS) dimensions. It further sought to examine how maternal psychosocial factors (parenting stress, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, sleep quality), the quality of spousal co-parenting relationships and intergenerational caregiving role arrangements are associated with profile membership.

A cross-sectional survey study.

A total of 366 mothers with children aged 0-3 years was recruited from maternity and child healthcare institutions in Shenzhen, China, between January 2023 and May 2024. Validated scales were used to assess intergenerational and spousal co-parenting, parenting stress, parenting sense of competence, perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify patterns of intergenerational co-parenting relationships, and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine the associated predictors.

Three distinct intergenerational co-parenting profiles were identified: the Discordant Group (29.2%), the Balanced Group (46.7%) and the Harmonious Group (24.0%). Higher spousal co-parenting scores were positively associated with more harmonious profiles. Lower levels of parenting stress, perceived stress and depressive symptoms, as well as higher sleep quality and grandparental involvement in caregiving were all associated with more positive relationship profiles. However, higher maternal parenting competence was paradoxically linked to greater intergenerational conflict.

Mothers in the Discordant Group, marked by low agreement/support and high conflict, reported the highest stress and depressive symptoms, whereas those in the Harmonious Group showed the most favourable psychosocial outcomes, with the Balanced Group in between. Stronger spousal co-parenting, better sleep quality and grandparental caregiving were associated with membership in the Harmonious class. These findings underscore the importance of fostering harmonious co-parenting across spousal and intergenerational subsystems to enhance maternal well-being and family functioning in early childhood.

Nurses and healthcare professionals could implement family-based interventions tailored to identified profile characteristics, thereby more effectively supporting maternal mental health and fostering greater harmony in intergenerational co-parenting families.