Mothers' and Fathers' Perceived Parent–Grandparent Co‐Parenting and Marital Conflict in Intergenerational Families

ABSTRACT Objective This study examined how mothers' and fathers' perceptions of supportive and undermining co‐parenting with grandparents relate to marital conflict, considering different family types. Background Grandparent involvement in co‐parenting significantly influences family and marital well‐being, making it crucial to understand these dynamics within diverse family constellations. Method Four hundred and twelve Shanghai parents (212 with paternal grandparents, 200 with maternal grandparents) completed questionnaires on co‐parenting with grandparents and marital conflict. Results Significant differences emerged based on the grandparent lineage. Mothers perceived less support from paternal grandparents, whereas fathers felt less undermining from maternal grandparents. Both supportive and undermining co‐parenting were associated with marital conflict levels; families experiencing more support tended to report lower conflict, whereas those reporting more undermining tended to report higher conflict. However, the associations showed gender asymmetry: fathers' supportive co‐parenting was more strongly tied to mothers' reported conflict, and mothers' undermining co‐parenting was more strongly linked to fathers' conflict. Critically, both mothers and fathers perceived undermining from either set of in‐laws as strongly associated with marital conflict, highlighting a shared vulnerability within the marriage. Conclusion Co‐parenting with grandparents showed complex, asymmetric links to marital conflict, varying by lineage and gender. Tailored interventions are needed for intergenerational families.