Explaining the causal model of co-parenting based on parenting stress by moderating role of family leisure and humor

The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of family leisure and humor in the relationship between parenting stress and co-parenting.

The present study population consisted of all parents living in Kermanshah in 2020, from which 300 people were selected to participate in the study using multi-stage cluster sampling. Research instruments included Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Zabriski Family Leisure Activity Profile, Co-parenting Relationship Scale, and the Family Members’ Humor Scale. The research was descriptive and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

The results of data analysis showed that there is a significant direct relationship between parenting stress variables and co-parenting (P< 0.001; β = -0.43), parenting stress and family humor (P< 0.001; β= -0.34), parenting stress variables and family leisure (P< 0.001; β= -0.28), humor in the family and co-parenting (P< 0.001; β= 0.4). Also, the humor variable in the family could play a mediating role in the relationship between parenting stress and co-parenting (P< 0.002; β= 0.17).

Therefore, it can be said that humor and games in families can play an important role both in creating co-parenting and decreasing of the negative effect of parenting stress on co-parenting.