Associations between early life harshness, parents' parenting style, and relationship quality in China

Previous studies revealed that early life stress is associated with romantic relationship quality in the life history perspective in Western nations. The current study examined the relationships between life history strategy, early life harshness/parents' parenting style, and romantic relationship quality, as well as life history strategy as a mediator in the association between early life harshness/parents' parenting style and relationship quality in China. A total of 263 individuals in romantic relationships participated in a questionnaire survey. Results revealed the direct effects of early life harshness/parents' parenting style and relationship quality. Both early life harshness and parents' parenting style have indirect effects on relationship quality through the life history strategy → communication/commitment paths. Thus, individuals with childhood adverse experiences and harsh parents' parenting style were more inclined to adopt a fast life history strategy, which was negatively associated with relationship quality.