Dyadic associations between neuroticism and interparental relationships among Chinese married couples

Abstract Using actor-partner interdependence modeling, this study examined the dyadic associations of neuroticism with marital relationships and coparenting relationships, and the gender effects on such associations. Participants were a sample of 567 heterosexual married couples in Beijing, China (Mage of men = 37.45, SD = 4.45; Mage of women = 35.44, SD = 3.37). Men and women reported their own neuroticism, marital relationship, and coparenting relationship (i.e., integrity, reprimand, conflict, and disparagement). The results revealed no gender effect within the marital relationship. Within the coparenting relationship, gender effects were found on the associations of neuroticism with integrity and reprimand behaviors. Men's neuroticism was associated with either their own or their partners' coparenting experiences, whereas women's neuroticism was only associated with their own coparenting experiences. For conflict and disparagement behaviors, the findings were similar to those for the marital relationship. Marital relationship mediated the associations between both men's and women's neuroticism and their own coparenting experiences. Additionally, neuroticism was more actor-related to coparenting experiences among men than women. Such findings help us understand the roles of partner's neuroticism in interparental relationships in Chinese married couples and provide preliminary evidence of gender effects.