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Deeper into divorce: using actor-partner analyses to explore systemic differences in coparenting conflict following
David A Sbarra1, Robert E Emery
1Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068, USA. sbarra@email.arizona.edu
Summary
Mediation significantly reduces post-divorce coparenting conflict compared to litigation. This systemic approach reveals long-term benefits for divorced parents navigating child custody disputes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Conflict Resolution
Background:
- Divorce reactions are often studied intrapersonally, neglecting the relational context.
- Understanding divorced parents' interpersonal dynamics is crucial for effective coparenting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine systemic patterns of interpersonal influence between divorced parents.
- To compare the long-term effects of mediation versus litigation on coparenting conflict.
Main Methods:
- Random assignment of divorced parents to mediation or litigation for child custody disputes.
- Longitudinal assessment of coparenting conflict and divorce acceptance over 12 years.
- Analysis of data from 109 parents across multiple time points.
Main Results:
- Fathers reported higher conflict when ex-partners were more accepting of the divorce.
- Mediation led to decreased coparenting conflict post-settlement; litigation led to increases.
- Litigation parents showed the most significant long-term fluctuations in conflict.
Conclusions:
- Mediation is effective in reducing post-divorce coparenting conflict.
- A systemic perspective is valuable for understanding long-term outcomes of marital dissolution.
- Interpersonal factors significantly influence the coparenting experience after divorce.
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