Reciprocal Relationship Between Post-Divorce Co-Parenting and Children’s Adjustment

Abstract

  The present study examined the interrelationships of (a) post-divorce co-parenting and children's adjustment, and (b) externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and prosocial behavior in children's adjustment over time. Mothers (N=500) who had been divorced for less than 2 years and were living with their children (2-17 years old) received follow-up assessments after 3 and 6 months. Data from 3 time points were analyzed using a cross-lagged effects model. Conflictual co-parenting was found to have a positive effect on externalizing problems; and externalizing problems had a positive effect on internalizing problems. However, internalizing problems had a negative effect on prosocial behavior. In addition, a negative relationship was found between internalizing problems and prosocial behavior. The relationships among the variables were discussed in the context of the developmental cascade. Suggestions for interventions and support based on these results include the importance of considering controlling conflictual co-parenting after divorce and of focusing on children's externalizing problems.