Journal
ACTA PAEDIATRICA
Volume 107, Issue 2, Pages 294-300Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/apa.14004
Keywords
Children; Divorce; Joint physical custody; Parental separation; Psychological problems
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Funding
- Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development, Vetenskapsradet
- Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research
- VINNOVA - Gillbergska Foundation [259-2012-68]
- Lansforsakringsbolagens forskningsfond
- Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research [2014-0843]
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Aim: Joint physical custody (JPC), where children spend about equal time in both parent's homes after parental separation, is increasing. The suitability of this practice for preschool children, with a need for predictability and continuity, has been questioned. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used data on 3656 Swedish children aged three to five years living in intact families, JPC, mostly with one parent or single care. Linear regression analyses were conducted with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, completed by parents and preschool teachers, as the outcome measure. Results: Children in JPC showed less psychological problems than those living mostly (adjusted B 1.81; 95% CI [0.66 to 2.95]) or only with one parent (adjusted B 1.94; 95% CI [0.75 to 3.13]), in parental reports. In preschool teacher reports, the adjusted Betas were 1.27, 95% CI [0.14 to 2.40] and 1.41, 95% CI [0.24 to 2.58], respectively. In parental reports, children in JPC and those in intact families had similar outcomes, while teachers reported lower unadjusted symptom scores for children in intact families. Conclusion: Joint physical custody arrangements were not associated with more psychological symptoms in children aged 3-5, but longitudinal studies are needed to account for potential preseparation differences.
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