Abstract
Limited information is available about the international generalizability of the common conclusion that marital discord tends
to be associated with problematic parenting. Pakistan is a sociocultural context known for a high frequency of marital distress.
Accordingly, this study draws from a sample of 270 Pakistani families with children between the ages of 9 to 13 years (M = 11.21 years). In this study we explore the question: Are Pakistani children’s perceptions of maternal and/or paternal rejection
related to their parents’ perceptions of spousal rejection? Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed
that wives’ perceptions of husbands’ rejection predicted children’s perceptions of maternal rejection, as well as—but to a
significantly lesser extent—children’s perceptions of paternal rejection. Similarly, husbands’ perceptions of wives’ rejection
predicted children’s perceptions of paternal rejection, as well as—but to a significantly lesser extent—children’s perceptions
of maternal rejection. Results of this research, along with the slim body of prior international research, suggests that the
concept of “spillover effect” used to explain the association between spousal rejection and parental rejection may have widespread
international applicability.
to be associated with problematic parenting. Pakistan is a sociocultural context known for a high frequency of marital distress.
Accordingly, this study draws from a sample of 270 Pakistani families with children between the ages of 9 to 13 years (M = 11.21 years). In this study we explore the question: Are Pakistani children’s perceptions of maternal and/or paternal rejection
related to their parents’ perceptions of spousal rejection? Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed
that wives’ perceptions of husbands’ rejection predicted children’s perceptions of maternal rejection, as well as—but to a
significantly lesser extent—children’s perceptions of paternal rejection. Similarly, husbands’ perceptions of wives’ rejection
predicted children’s perceptions of paternal rejection, as well as—but to a significantly lesser extent—children’s perceptions
of maternal rejection. Results of this research, along with the slim body of prior international research, suggests that the
concept of “spillover effect” used to explain the association between spousal rejection and parental rejection may have widespread
international applicability.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9425-5
- Authors
- Farah Malik, Department of Psychology, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
- Ronald P. Rohner, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Unit 2058, Storrs, CT 06269-2058, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482