Maternal Versus Joint Custody: Children's Postseparation Experiences and Adjustment

Abstract

The present study compares the experiences and adjustment of children in joint and maternal custody arrangements. The subjects were 133 children who had experienced parental separation within the past 30 months and ranged in age from 8 to 15 years. Children were interviewed about their recent divorce-related experiences and completed questionnaires that assessed anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and hostility. Parents also completed a questionnaire about their children's behavior problems. Children in joint custody arrangements reported a significantly greater number of positive experiences than children in maternal custody (p <.05). No differences in child symptomatology occurred across the custody arrangements; however, children in joint custody reported higher levels of self-esteem (p <. 05) and had more weekly contact with the parent with whom they did not primarily reside than did children in maternal custody (p <. 05). The importance of research on the effects of various custody arrangements for the development of sound social policy is discussed.

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