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Ulvøy DE, Åvik Persson H, Kristensson Hallström I, Sollesnes R. Parents' experiences of their child's participation in divorce groups in Norway: A phenomenological study. Scand J Caring Sci 2023; 37:991-1000. [PMID: 37050849 DOI: 10.1111/scs.13173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and youth who experience divorce are found to have increased risk of emotional and behavioural adjustment problems. Different prevention programmes have been developed to help and support children. Previous studies have focused on the child or the group leader's experience with divorce groups, but studies describing parent's experience are missing. The aim of this study was to explore parents' experiences of their child's participation in divorce groups. METHODS An inductive, qualitative and descriptive design was applied with philosophical orientation in naturalistic inquiry based on the outlines of a phenomenological perspective. Two fathers and three mothers from two different counties in Norway participated whereof four of them were interviewed twice. Systematic text condensation was used for the analysis. RESULTS Three themes emerged from the analysis: encouraging the child, missing communication and challenging situations. Parents described how they encouraged the child to attend divorce groups and hoped they would gain a deeper understanding of their parents' divorce and their own feelings. Missing communication relates to lack of information about the groups from the school, the group leader and from the child. Missing information was found to be a challenge for the parents and made them think that the divorce group was beneficial for the child but maybe not always for the family. Parents described challenging situations due to the divorce, and they struggled to understand their child and their own behaviour. CONCLUSIONS The opportunity for the child to talk to other children in the same situation in divorce groups was positive for the parents. To be beneficial for both children and their parents, structured information and cooperation among the school, the child and both parents are important. The knowledge from this study can support the development and use of intervention programmes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagny-Elise Ulvøy
- Department of Health and Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Helene Åvik Persson
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Ragnhild Sollesnes
- Department of Health and Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
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2
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Sandberg K. Shared parenting and father involvement after divorce in Denmark. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1223574. [PMID: 38022989 PMCID: PMC10662306 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Scandinavian countries make interesting samples for the study of shared parenting as they are characterized by some of the highest levels of father involvement and gender equality globally. Despite numerous studies, data from Denmark is noticeably absent in the international debate, partly due to a researcher preference for publishing in Danish. Here, I present an overview of the increase in father involvement in Denmark since the 1960s and on the increase in shared parenting across recent decades. I further examine Danish law, ministerial guidelines and guidelines from major Danish public and private institutions/organizations involved in deciding or advising on parenting practices post-divorce. I relate these to international research findings as well as to findings from Danish research. Overall, I find that Danish guidelines/practice have several reservations against shared parenting and substantial father involvement, which are not considered warranted by a substantial number of scientists and which are not supported by the majority of the available evidence. It thus appears that societal transition toward increased shared parenting has happened on a largely voluntary basis in spite of official law/practice. Updated law and/or ministerial guidelines are likely necessary if politicians desire that children experience the same high degree of father involvement post-divorce that they experience in society in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Sandberg
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Vowels LM, Comolli CL, Bernardi L, Chacón-Mendoza D, Darwiche J. Systematic review and theoretical comparison of children's outcomes in post-separation living arrangements. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288112. [PMID: 37390081 PMCID: PMC10313020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the systematic review was to synthesize the literature on children's outcomes across different living arrangements (nuclear families, shared physical custody [SPC], lone physical custody [LPC]) by extracting and structuring relevant theoretical hypotheses (selection, instability, fewer resources, and stressful mobility) and comparing the empirical findings against these hypotheses. Following the PRISMA guidelines, the review included 39 studies conducted between January 2010-December 2022 and compared the living arrangements across five domains of children's outcomes: emotional, behavioral, relational, physical, and educational. The results showed that children's outcomes were the best in nuclear families but in 75% of the studies children in SPC arrangements had equal outcomes. Children in LPC tended to report the worst outcomes. When compared with the different theoretical hypotheses, the results were the most consistent with fewer resources hypothesis which suggests that children especially in LPC families have fewer relational and economic resources whereas children in SPC families are better able to maintain resources from both parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Vowels
- Family and Development Research Center (FADO), Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chiara L. Comolli
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Bernardi
- LIVES, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Chacón-Mendoza
- Center for Research and Political Studies, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Joëlle Darwiche
- Family and Development Research Center (FADO), Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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4
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Steinbach A. Coparenting as a mediator between physical custody arrangements and children's mental health. FAMILY PROCESS 2023. [PMID: 36647297 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The detrimental effects of parental break-up on children's mental health are well-documented. However, research has also shown that children living in joint physical custody (JPC) arrangements often fare better than children living in sole physical custody (SPC) arrangements. Thus, the question arises: What are the differences between JPC and SPC that account for those results? Drawing on data from the Family Models in Germany (FAMOD) study conducted in 2019, structural equation models (SEM) were estimated to deduct the mediating role of coparenting support in children's mental health in 465 JPC and 652 SPC families with children aged 2-14. The findings suggest that the better mental health observed among children in JPC families than among children in SPC families was fully mediated by coparenting support. However, this held true only for internalizing and externalizing behavior, but not for prosocial behavior as no differences between JPC and SPC were found for this dimension. The findings affirm the importance of supportive coparenting for children's well-being after family dissolution in both SPC and JPC arrangements. After breaking up, parents should be supported in their parental engagement through coparenting counseling or psychoeducation classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Steinbach
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Department of Sociology, Duisburg, Germany
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5
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Hjern A, Bergström M, Fransson E, Lindfors A, Bergqvist K. Birth order and socioeconomic disadvantage predict behavioural and emotional problems at age 3 years. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:3294-3301. [PMID: 34481422 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to describe sociodemographic and family predictors for behavioural and emotional problems in pre-schoolers. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study including 30,795 children in the Stockholm region whose parents had completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) prior to a routine visit to a well-baby clinic at age 3 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse predictors for having a high total SDQ difficulties score. RESULTS Young parental age and a low level of parental education predicted high total SDQ score in a stepwise pattern. Being a first-born child was associated with a high SDQ score with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.10 (95% C.I. 1.84-2.41), compared with having older siblings. A sole physical custody arrangement predicted a high total SDQ score after parental separation. The percentage of children with a high total SDQ score increased with the Care Need Index (CNI) of the well-baby clinic. CONCLUSIONS This study identified socioeconomic disadvantage and being the first-born child as the main predictors of poor mental health at age 3 years. Well-baby clinics with socioeconomically disadvantaged catchment areas should be provided with adequate resources and methods for equitable prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Hjern
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Karolinska Institutet Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Regional Unit for the Well‐baby Clinics Sachs Children's Hospital Stockholm Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology Department of Medicine Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Malin Bergström
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Karolinska Institutet Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Regional Unit for the Well‐baby Clinics Sachs Children's Hospital Stockholm Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology Department of Medicine Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Emma Fransson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | | | - Kersti Bergqvist
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Karolinska Institutet Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Regional Unit for the Well‐baby Clinics Sachs Children's Hospital Stockholm Sweden
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6
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Hjern A, Bergström M, Fransson E, Kjaer Urhoj S. Living arrangements after parental separation have minimal impact on mental health at age 7 years. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:2586-2593. [PMID: 33993561 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study compared mental health after parental separation in 7-year-old children living in joint physical custody with sole physical custody family arrangements. METHODS The study population included 39 661 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort, living in a nuclear family at age 6 months. Child mental health was measured at age 7 years with maternal reports of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) operationalised as a high total score. Associations between living arrangements and mental health were analysed using logistic regression models, taking into account early childhood indicators of family relations, parental mental health and socioeconomic conditions. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the living arrangements after parental separation with joint physical custody having an odds ratio (OR) of 1.37 (95% CI 1.10-1.70), sole physical custody without a new partner OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.19-1.47) and OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.30-1.84) for sole physical custody with new partner, with children in a nuclear family as reference. CONCLUSION This study indicates that living arrangements after parental separation have a minimal influence on child mental health at age 7 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Hjern
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Medicine Clinical Epidemiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Malin Bergström
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Medicine Clinical Epidemiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Emma Fransson
- Department for Women’s and children’s health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Stine Kjaer Urhoj
- Section of Epidemiology Department of Public Health University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
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7
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Bergström M, Salari R, Hjern A, Hognäs R, Bergqvist K, Fransson E. Importance of living arrangements and coparenting quality for young children's mental health after parental divorce: a cross-sectional parental survey. BMJ Paediatr Open 2021; 5:e000657. [PMID: 34124394 PMCID: PMC8160159 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental separation has been associated with adverse child mental health outcomes in the literature. For school-aged children, joint physical custody (JPC), that is, spending equal time in both parents' homes after a divorce, has been associated with better health and well-being than single care arrangements. Preschool children's well-being in JPC is less studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of living arrangements and coparenting quality with mental health in preschool children after parental separation. METHODS This cross-sectional population-based study includes 12 845 three-year-old children in Sweden. Mental health was measured by parental reports of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and coparenting quality with a four-item scale. The living arrangements of the 642 children in non-intact families were categorised into JPC, living mostly with one parent and living only with one parent. RESULTS Linear regression models, adjusted for sociodemographic confounders, showed an association between increased mental health problems and living mostly and only with one parent (B=1.18; 95% CI 0.37 to 2.00, and B=1.20; 95% CI 0.40 to 2.00, respectively), while children in intact families vs JPC did not differ significantly (B=-0.11; 95% CI -0.58 to 0.36). After adjusting the analyses for coparenting quality, differences in child mental health between the post divorce living arrangements were, however, minimal while children in intact families had more mental health problems compared with JPC (B=0.70; 95% CI 0.24 to 1.15). Factorial analysis of covariance revealed that low coparenting quality was more strongly related to mental health problems for children in intact families and JPC compared with children living mostly or only with one parent. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that coparenting quality is a key determinant of mental health in preschool children and thus should be targeted in preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Bergström
- Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raziye Salari
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Hjern
- Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robin Hognäs
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Hjern A, Bergström M, Kjaer Urhoj S, Nybo Andersen A. Early childhood social determinants and family relationships predict parental separation and living arrangements thereafter. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:247-254. [PMID: 32311778 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Parental separation has been associated with poor mental health in children with better outcomes in children living in joint physical custody compared with those living with one parent after the separation. In this study, we investigated socioeconomic and relational predictors in early childhood of later parental separation and family arrangements thereafter. METHODS This study included 34 768 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort, who were living with both parents at the 6 months' data collection and followed up in 2010-2014 at age 11 years. Questionnaire data from the two data collections were linked with population registers in Statistics Denmark about parental income, education and psychiatric care and analysed in logistic regression models. RESULTS Socioeconomic indicators of the family and parental psychiatric disorders before birth of the child and family relationships in infancy predicted parental separation at age 11 year. For children with separated parents, a high family income and a high parental educational level were the main predictors of living in joint physical custody at the 11-year follow-up. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic living conditions predict parental separation as well as living arrangements thereafter. Studies of consequences of living arrangements after parental separation should account for family factors preceding the separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Hjern
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Medicine Clinical Epidemiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Malin Bergström
- Centre for Health Equity Studies Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Medicine Clinical Epidemiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Stine Kjaer Urhoj
- Section of Epidemiology Department of Public Health University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
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9
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Custodia compartida: razonamientos judiciales y criterios psicológicos. REVISTA IBEROAMERICANA DE PSICOLOGÍA 2019. [DOI: 10.33881/2027-1786.rip.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cuando unos padres finalizan su relación uno de los aspectos más relevantes es el relativo a las medidas adoptadas en relación con los hijos. Desde la legalización del divorcio en 1981 se han llevado a cabo diversas modificaciones legislativas y algunas Comunidades Autónomas han decretado leyes donde la custodia compartida es la opción preferente. El estudio pretende analizar los razonamientos que utilizan jueces/magistrados para fundamentar la custodia compartida; conocer en qué medida las decisiones judiciales toman como referencia los informes periciales y los criterios que en ellos se aportan; y analizar si los razonamientos judiciales y los criterios psicológicos son de corte psicoevolutivo. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal en el que se analizaron 163 sentencias del año 2016 de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón. Los resultados evidencian una tendencia a una mayor argumentación de la concesión de la guarda y custodia compartida. Los razonamientos judiciales más frecuentes son la aptitud personal del progenitor, el interés superior del menor y la estabilidad del mismo, entre otros. Por otro lado, los criterios periciales más utilizados por los psicólogos en sus valoraciones son la capacidad de los progenitores y la calidad de las prácticas de crianza.
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Eurenius E, Richter Sundberg L, Vaezghasemi M, Silfverdal S, Ivarsson A, Lindkvist M. Social-emotional problems among three-year-olds differ based on the child's gender and custody arrangement. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:1087-1095. [PMID: 30496622 PMCID: PMC6590218 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate mental health with respect to social-emotional problems among three-year-olds in relation to their gender, custody arrangements and place of residence. METHODS A cross-sectional population-based design was used, encompassing 7179 three-year-olds in northern Sweden during the period 2014-2017 from the regional Salut Register. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed based on parents' responses on the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, supplemented with items on gender, custody arrangement and place of residence. RESULTS Parental-reported social-emotional problems were found in almost 10% of the children. Boys were reported to have more problems (12.3%) than girls (5.6%; p < 0.001). Parents were most concerned about children's eating habits and interactions at mealtimes. Parents not living together reported more problems among their children than those living together (p < 0.001). When stratifying by custody arrangement, girls in rural areas living alternately with each parent had more problems compared to those in urban areas (p < 0.008). CONCLUSION Gender and custody arrangements appear to be important factors for social-emotional problems among three-year-olds. Thus, such conditions should receive attention during preschool age, preferably by a systematic preventive strategy within Child Health Care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Eurenius
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global HealthUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Linda Richter Sundberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global HealthUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Masoud Vaezghasemi
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global HealthUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
- Department of Social WorkUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | | | - Anneli Ivarsson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global HealthUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Marie Lindkvist
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global HealthUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
- Department of StatisticsUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
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11
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Bergström M, Sarkadi A, Hjern A, Fransson E. "We also communicate through a book in the diaper bag"-Separated parents´ ways to coparent and promote adaptation of their 1-4 year olds in equal joint physical custody. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214913. [PMID: 30970037 PMCID: PMC6457541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Joint physical custody (JPC) refers to a practice where children with separated parents share their time between the parents’ respective homes. Studies on parents’ views of JPC for young children are scarce. The aim of this interview study was to explore parents’ perceptions on how they experience and practice equally shared JPC for their 1–4 year-olds in Sweden. Forty-six parents (18 fathers and 28 mothers) of 50 children (31 boys and 19 girls) under 5 years of age were interviewed. Parents were recruited through information in the media and represented a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as both voluntary and court-ordered custody arrangements. The interviews were semi-structured and analyzed using systematic text condensation. Two themes emerged regarding the research question. In the first theme, Always free, never free, parents described their striving to coparent without a love relationship. While they appreciated the freedom of being a “half-time parent”, doing things one’s own way, they felt constrained by the long-term commitment to live close to and keep discussing child rearing issues with the ex-partner. Good communication was key and lessened parent’s feelings of being cut-off from half of the child’s life. When JPC was ordered by court or conflicts were intense, parents tried to have less contact and worried when the children were in the other home. The second theme, Is it right, is it good?, included descriptions of how the parents monitored the child’s responses to the living arrangement and made changes to optimize their adjustment. Adaptations included visits for the child with the other parent mid-week, shared meals or adapting schedules. In conclusion, these parents worked hard to make JPC work and cause minimal damage to their children. Most parents were pleased with the arrangements with the notable exception of couples experiencing ongoing conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Bergström
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/ Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm,Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna Sarkadi
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Hjern
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/ Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm,Sweden
| | - Emma Fransson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/ Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Fransson E, Hjern A, Bergström M. What Can We Say Regarding Shared Parenting Arrangements for Swedish Children? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10502556.2018.1454198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Fransson
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Hjern
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Bergström
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Bergström M, Fransson E, Wells MB, Köhler L, Hjern A. Children with two homes: Psychological problems in relation to living arrangements in Nordic 2- to 9-year-olds. Scand J Public Health 2018; 47:137-145. [PMID: 29644929 DOI: 10.1177/1403494818769173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM Joint physical custody, children spending equal time in each parents' respective home after a parental divorce, is particularly common in Nordic compared with other Western countries. Older children have been shown to fare well in this practice but for young children there are few existing studies. The aim of this paper is to study psychological problems in 2- to 9-year-old Nordic children in different family forms. METHODS Total symptom score according to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as well as scores showing externalizing problems were compared among 152 children in joint physical custody, 303 in single care and 3207 in nuclear families through multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS Children in single care had more psychological symptoms than those in joint physical custody (B = 1.08; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.67) and those in nuclear families had the least reported symptoms (B = -0.53; 95% CI -0.89 to -0.17). Externalizing problems were also lower in nuclear families (B = -0.28, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.04) compared with joint physical custody after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS Young children with non-cohabiting parents suffered from more psychological problems than those in intact families. Children in joint physical custody had a lower total problem score than those in single care after adjusting for covariates. Longitudinal studies with information on family factors before the separation are needed to inform policy of young children's post-separation living arrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Bergström
- 1 Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,3 Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Emma Fransson
- 1 Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Michael B Wells
- 2 Prevention, Intervention, and Mechanisms in Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Lennart Köhler
- 4 Nordic School of Public Health, Sweden.,5 Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Hjern
- 1 Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.,3 Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
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