Fifty moves a year: is there an association between joint physical custody and psychosomatic problems in children?

Abstract

BackgroundIn many Western countries, an increasing number of children with separated parents have joint physical custody, that is, live equally much in their parent's respective homes. In Sweden, joint physical custody is particularly common and concerns between 30% and 40% of the children with separated parents. It has been hypothesised that the frequent moves and lack of stability in parenting may be stressful for these children.MethodsWe used data from a national classroom survey of all sixth and ninth grade students in Sweden (N=147839) to investigate the association between children's psychosomatic problems and living arrangements. Children in joint physical custody were compared with those living only or mostly with one parent and in nuclear families. We conducted sex-specific linear regression analyses for z-transformed sum scores of psychosomatic problems and adjusted for age, country of origin as well as children's satisfaction with material resources and relationships to parents. Clustering by school was accounted for by using a two-level random intercept model.ResultsChildren in joint physical custody suffered from less psychosomatic problems than those living mostly or only with one parent but reported more symptoms than those in nuclear families. Satisfaction with their material resources and parent–child relationships was associated with children's psychosomatic health but could not explain the differences between children in the different living arrangements.ConclusionsChildren with non-cohabitant parents experience more psychosomatic problems than those in nuclear families. Those in joint physical custody do however report better psychosomatic health than children living mostly or only with one parent. Longitudinal studies with information on family factors before and after the separation are needed to inform policy of children's postseparation living arrangements.

New approaches to divorce with children: A problem of public health

“…Those in joint physical custody do, however, report better psychosomatic health than children living mostly or only with one parent (Bergström et al, 2015). …”

Family Dynamics and Child Outcomes: An Overview of Research and Open Questions

“…As a result of the separation, children cease to live full-time with both parents, which requires adjustment to the new situation and can start, intensify, or end exposure to parental conflict (Amato 2010;Cherlin 1999;Pryor and Rodgers 2001). Even if joint residential custody of the child post-separation (i.e., children's alternate living with each parent) is becoming increasingly common, up to one-third and above in Sweden (Bergström et al 2015), the child often receives less involved parenting from the nonresident parent (usually the father), whereas the resident parent's (usually the mother's) parenting styles can be affected by increasing time demands (Amato 2000(Amato , 2010McLanahan and Sandefur 1994;Seltzer 2000). Besides changes in family relationships, a breakup of a household can lead to a drop in economic resources (e.g., Uunk 2004).…”

Family residency and psychosomatic problems among adolescents in Sweden: The impact of child-parent relations

“…Only a few studies have examined the possible age differences in the association between family type and children's well-being, and these studies convey slightly different results [13,17]. There is also a scarcity of studies focusing on the possible interaction effect of joint physical custody and child-parent relations on adolescent mental health.…”