Communication Among Parents Who Share Physical Custody After Divorce or Separation

This study produces a grounded theory of the process of communication with former partners for 30 men and women who share physical and legal custody of their children following divorce or separation. The formality of the custody arrangement was the core factor that influenced the ways in which study participants established and maintained boundaries regarding when, how, and what they communicated with their former partners. Other factors that played a role included the relationship with the former partner, the child, and the introduction of new partners. One cannot simply assume that because parents share physical and legal custody, they communicate with their former partners in a particular way; instead, the formality of the custody arrangement and the establishment of communication boundaries needs to be examined in order to understand how coparents communicate with their former partners.

Splitting Custody of Children between Parents: Impact on the Sibling System

Splitting custody of children between parents after divorce is one form of custody. The authors review this custody decision and its potential effect on the sibling system across the lifespan. The arrangement is analyzed by means of family-systems theory. Because split custody may be harmful to the sibling bond, the potential benefits must be weighed against costs in each case before entering into this custody arrangement.

Children's Adjustment during Custody/Access Disputes: Relation to Custody Arrangement, Gender and Age of Child

The adjustment of preschool and latency age children, at the time of a custody/access dispute between their parents, was studied in relation to the children's age, sex and whether they were living with a parent of the same or the opposite-sex. Few adjustment problems were noted; however, older children and boys were more vulnerable. Sex of custodial parent did not predict children's adjustment.