Internal Working Models of Attachment and Postdivorce Coparent Relationships

A Stress Model for Couples Parenting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Introduction of a Mindfulness Intervention

“…Although this suggestion is specific to a particular time in the divorce process, it points to the importance of effective communication among the coparents for the well-being of the child. This concept is echoed in the literature on coparenting among divorced parents of typically developing children (e.g., Baum, 2004Baum, , 2006Crockenberg & Langrock, 2001;Roberson, Sabo, & Wickle, 2011). Quality coparenting for typically developing children is described as consisting of high coparent interaction (e.g., frequent of conversations between parents about the child); low coparent conflict (e.g., the frequency, hostility, and tension of arguments about parenting, as well as differences in opinion over child rearing); and high coparent support (e.g., the willingness of parent to accommodate changes in visitation, whether both parents are helpful or act as resources to the other parent in raising their children; Ahrons, 1981).…”

“…Quality coparenting for typically developing children is described as consisting of high coparent interaction (e.g., frequent of conversations between parents about the child); low coparent conflict (e.g., the frequency, hostility, and tension of arguments about parenting, as well as differences in opinion over child rearing); and high coparent support (e.g., the willingness of parent to accommodate changes in visitation, whether both parents are helpful or act as resources to the other parent in raising their children; Ahrons, ). These different types of coparenting styles (conflicted, disengaged, and stable) are linked to different outcomes for children and parents (Roberson et al, ). Both the types of coparenting styles and the quality of coparenting may be useful in conceptualizing divorcing coparents of children with ASD.…”

“…For divorced partners, coparenting relationships can have positive and negative outcomes. Positive outcomes generally result when coparents communicate effectively about parenting strategies and trust their fellow coparent in parenting decisions (see Roberson et al, ). However, negative outcomes stem from coparents who are frequently conflicted or disengaged.…”

“…However, negative outcomes stem from coparents who are frequently conflicted or disengaged. The anger and disagreement common in conflicted coparenting can disrupt child developmental outcomes such as regulation of affect and can prevent parents from developing a parental role separate from a spousal role (Baum, ; Roberson et al, ). For disengaged coparents, one or both parents are cut off from both the coparenting partner and the child, often because of the emotional pain of the separation (Baum, ).…”

Who's Your Daddy? Family Structure Differences in Attachment to God

“…Family attachment seems to matter more than family structure in predicting adolescent alcohol and marijuana use (Barfield-Cottledge, 2015). Among postdivorce couples, co-parental relationships are linked to attachment styles (Roberson, Sabo, & Wickel, 2011). That is, divorced parents with a stable co-parenting relationship tend to have children with securely attached styles, whereas divorced parents with conflicted coparenting relationships have children with anxious ambivalent styles, and divorced parents with disengaged co-parenting relationships have children with avoidant attachment styles.…”