Effects of Divorce on Children: Differential Impact of Custody and Visitation Patterns

Abstract

The present paper reviews the research literature on children's experience of the restructuring of the family following divorce. Methodological issues in this area are addressed. Recurrent findings are identified and then discussed within a theoretical framework using cumulative stress and family systems concepts. The effects of divorce are organized according to differences observed as a function of the following variables: the child's age and gender, parental conflict, post-divorce family stability, and parent-child relationships. Custody arrangements and visitation patterns potentially minimizing the deleterious effects related to these variables are iden tified.