Links between parent–grandparent coparenting, maternal parenting and young children’s executive function in urban China

Parent-grandparent coparenting is a common phenomenon in mainland China; however, little is known about its relationship with children's cognitive development. This study investigates the links between parent-grandparent coparenting and young children’s executive function (EF) and examines the potential mediating role of maternal parenting between coparenting and EF in Chinese urban families. A total of 122 preschool children (58 girls) and their mothers participated in this study. Children’s EF was assessed using measures of working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Their mothers were asked about parent-grandparent coparenting, maternal parenting (i.e. maternal nurturing and stress), and children’s temperament. The findings showed that parent-grandparent coparenting was indirectly related to cognitive flexibility, a dimension of EF, and this relationship was mediated by maternal nurturing and maternal stress. No direct impact of parent-grandparent coparenting on EF was found. The findings highlight the contribution of supportive parent-grandparent coparenting to children’s cognitive flexibility.