Improved child problem behavior enhances the parents’ relationship quality: A randomized trial.

Although a large body of literature indicates that interparental discord is a primary risk factor for child maladjustment, less research has examined children’s behavior as a predictor of the parents’ relationship quality. The goal of this randomized trial intervention study was to examine the effects of improved problem behavior in children on the parents’ relationship quality 1 year later in a community sample. One hundred couples were randomly assigned to (a) a parenting training (Triple P) or (b) an untreated control group. Interparental relationship quality, parenting behavior, and child problem behavior were assessed by means of questionnaires completed by the parents before and 2 weeks after completion of the treatment and at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Mother-report of improved child problem behavior and father-report of improved parenting skills predicted both partners’ relationship quality at the 1-year follow-up for the Triple P group only. The findings suggest that programs aimed at reducing child problem behavior hold promise to also enhance the couple’s relationship quality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)