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Spousal Rejection as a Risk Factor for Parental Rejection of Children

NCJ Number
240423
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: May 2012 Pages: 295-301
Author(s)
Farah Malik; Ronald P. Rohner
Date Published
May 2012
Length
7 pages
Annotation
In this study the authors explore the question: Are Pakistani children's perceptions of maternal and/or paternal rejection related to their parents' perceptions of spousal rejection?
Abstract
Limited information is available about the international generalizability of the common conclusion that marital discord tends to be associated with problematic parenting. Pakistan is a sociocultural context known for a high frequency of marital distress. Accordingly, this study draws from a sample of 270 Pakistani families with children between the ages of 9 to 13 years (M=11.21 years). In this study the authors explore the question: Are Pakistani children's perceptions of maternal and/or paternal rejection related to their parents' perceptions of spousal rejection? Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that wives' perceptions of husbands' rejection predicted children's perceptions of maternal rejection, as well asbut to a significantly lesser extentchildren's perceptions of paternal rejection. Similarly, husbands' perceptions of wives' rejection predicted children's perceptions of paternal rejection, as well asbut to a significantly lesser extentchildren's perceptions of maternal rejection. Results of this research, along with the slim body of prior international research, suggests that the concept of "spillover effect" used to explain the association between spousal rejection and parental rejection may have widespread international applicability. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.