Direct and Indirect Effects of Interparental Relationship Quality on Child Behavior Problems in Low-Income,Black, Single-Mother Families

ABSTRACT

Evidence of direct and indirect effects of interparental relationship quality and parental contexts on child behavior problems is well established. However, limited literature exists about these associations in low-income, Black families in which the parents are not married. Informed by the risk and resilience theoretical perspective, this study hypothesized that disharmonious interparental relations would predict greater preschool child behavior problems directly and indirectly through maternal parenting factors and father contact. Economic difficulties and low maternal education would exacerbate these problems. This study included 2,115 Black, single mothers from Waves 1–3 of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data sets. Using structural equation modeling, a strong model fit indicated that our hypotheses were supported. Discussion includes policy and practice implications related to the Healthy Marriage Initiative.