Non-Residential Father–Child Involvement, Interparental Conflict and Mental Health of Children Following Divorce

A Person-Focused Approach

Dados Bibliográficos

ID10920102
AutoresKit K Elam (0000-0003-0319-5897, Arizona State University, autor correspondente), Irwin Sandler, Irwin N Sandler (0000-0002-9023-8965, Arizona State University), Sharlene A Wolchik (0000-0002-7664-7359, Arizona State University), Sharlene Wolchik, Jenn‐yun Tein (0000-0002-1164-9898, Arizona State University), Jenn-Yun Tein
Ano2016
Volume45
Fascículo3
Páginas581-593
Data de publicação2016-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Youth and Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0047-2891 • E-ISSN: 1573-6601
EditoraSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10964-015-0399-5
PMID26692236
OpenAlexW2299366007
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas30
Referências citadas40

Variable-centered research has found complex relationships between child well-being and two critical aspects of the post-divorce family environment: the level of non-residential father involvement (i.e., contact and supportive relationship) with their children and the level of conflict between the father and mother. However, these analyses fail to capture individual differences based on distinct patterns of interparental conflict, father support and father contact. Using a person-centered latent profile analysis, the present study examined (1) profiles of non-residential father contact, support, and interparental conflict in the 2 years following divorce (N = 240), when children (49 % female) were between 9 and 12 years of age and (2) differences across profiles in concurrent child adjustment outcomes as well as outcomes 6 years later. Four profiles of father involvement were identified: High Contact-Moderate Conflict-Moderate Support, Low Contact-Moderate Conflict-Low Support, High Conflict-Moderate Contact-Moderate Support, and Low Conflict-Moderate Contact-Moderate Support. Concurrently, children with fathers in the group with high conflict were found to have significantly greater internalizing and externalizing problems compared to all other groups. Six years later, children with fathers in the group with low contact and low support were found to have greater internalizing and externalizing problems compared to children with fathers in the high conflict group, and also greater internalizing problems compared to children with fathers in the low conflict group. These results provide insight into the complex relationship among non-residential fathers' conflict, contact, and support in child adjustment within divorcing families

Child custody · Criminology · Developmental psychology · Health psychology · History of psychology · Legal psychology · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychoanalysis · Public health · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology