Grandparents’ authoritative resources and intergenerational co-parenting relationships in urban Chinese families: Differences between maternal and paternal grandparents

Abstract

As major actors in intergenerational co-parenting, grandparents shape co-parenting relationships through daily interactions, but the specific mechanisms of this have yet to be fully discussed. This study examines the impact of grandparents’ “authoritative resources” on intergenerational co-parenting relationships at the economic, ethical, and psychological levels. In addition, it explores the moderating effect of distinct intergenerational co-parenting dyads on this influence. The results show that grandparents’ psychological control over parents is negatively associated with the quality of intergenerational co-parenting relationships. In contrast, authoritative resources at the economic and ethical level have only positive associations with specific dimensions of intergenerational co-parenting relationships. Compared with co-parenting between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, the relationship in the mother/daughter co-parenting dyads is more positive. The impact of grandparents’ authoritative resources on intergenerational co-parenting relationships varies across the two types of intergenerational co-parenting dyad. The study concludes that, to enhance cooperation and intimacy in intergenerational co-parenting, grandparents need to develop authoritative resources with more cultural inclusiveness, and negotiate and adapt together with parents over the balance between cultural traditions and individualized lifestyles.