Family and legal indicators of child adjustment to divorce among families with young children

J Fam Psychol. 2003 Jun;17(2):169-80. doi: 10.1037/0893-3200.17.2.169.

Abstract

This research used structural equation modeling to examine relations among family dynamics, attorney involvement, and the adjustment of young children (0-6 years) at the time of parental separation. The article presents baseline data (N = 102 nonresidential fathers and N = 110 primary caretaking mothers) from a larger longitudinal study. Results showed that the effects of parental conflict on child outcomes were mediated by paternal involvement, the parent-child relationship, and attorney involvement. A scale assessing parental gatekeeping yielded two significant factors: Spouse's Influence on Parenting and Positive View of Spouse. Paternal involvement was related to children's adaptive behavior, whereas negative changes in parent-child relationships predicted behavior problems. Mothers who experienced greater psychological symptomatology were less likely to utilize an attorney, which in turn predicted greater internalizing problems in their children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child, Preschool
  • Divorce / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Family*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Parenting
  • Psychology, Child*
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States