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Parenting styles, coparenting, and early child adjustment in separated families with child physical custody processes ongoing in family court
Publication . Pires, M.; Martins, Mariana
Abstract: Coparenting conflict and triangulation after separation or divorce are associated with
poorer child adjustment when parenting gatekeeping and conflict occur. Fewer studies reported
psychosocial adjustment of children under three. We explored the effects of authoritarian and
permissive parenting styles and negative coparenting on child adjustment in a purpose sample of
207 Portuguese newly separated/divorced parents (50.2% mothers/49.8% fathers) with sole or joint
(49.8%/50.2%) physical custody processes ongoing in court. Parents filled out the Parenting Styles
Questionnaire—Parents’ report, the Coparenting Questionnaire, and the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire. Parenting and coparenting moderations path analysis to predict child adjustment
were tested for two groups (2/3-year-old child/>3-year-old-child) and showed a good fit, followed
by multigroup path analysis with similarities. Findings suggest harsh parenting and interparental
conflict and triangulation as predictors for poor early child adjustment. The ongoing custody process
could contribute to increased interparental conflict. The families’ unique functioning, parenting, and
conflict should be considered in young children custody decisions made in a particularly stressful
period when the parental responsibilities’ process is still ongoing and conflict may increase to serve
the best interest of the child and promote healthy development. Future directions and practical
implications are discussed.
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Funding Award Number
157545