Litigation Edge Jan Marie DeLipsey,Ph.D. What is Best for Children? Impact of Divorce Mild Conflict Mild Conflict Children are resilient. Children are resilient. Chronic versus Chronic versus Acute distress Acute distress Impact of Divorce on Kids Well Being Increased risk for a Variety of psychological problems Increased risk for a Variety of psychological problems - Externalizing disorders Anger, Aggression - Internalizing disorders Depression, Anxiety Doing Well Depends on: Economic Stability Parenting style Contact with non-residential parent Custody arrangements Parents adjustment and functioning Parental Conflict Economic Issues Important predictor across many INTERACTING factors Important predictor across many INTERACTING factors Supervision Contact Residential Stability Opportunity School Stability Etc Parenting Styles Authoritarian Authoritative Permissive Neglectful = Best Adjustment for Kids! Doing Well Depends on: Economic Stability Economic Stability Parenting style Parenting style Custody arrangements Custody arrangements Contact with non residential parent Contact with non residential parent Parents adjustment and functioning Parents adjustment and functioning Parental Conflict Parental Conflict Joint custody is beneficial when parental conflict is contained Effects of the amount of contact is moderated by the amount of parental conflict Effects of the amount of contact is moderated by the amount of parental conflict Primary Mother or Primary Father No clear evidence that children fare better with primary mother or primary father custody Parents Mental Health Active Depression Active Depression Major Mental Illness Major Mental Illness Antisocial Behavior Antisocial Behavior Alcohol/Substance Abuse Alcohol/Substance Abuse are associated with poorer adjustment for children adjustment for children Parental Conflict Good Predictor of a childs adjustment Good Predictor of a childs adjustment Conflict is least problematic if: Conflict is least problematic if: Kept from the children Less severe and intense Does not involve Child issues Chronic Stress Doing Well Depends on: Economic Stability Economic Stability Parenting style Parenting style Contact with non-residential parent Contact with non-residential parent Custody arrangements Custody arrangements Parents adjustment and functioning Parents adjustment and functioning Parental Conflict Parental Conflict Relocation Psychological Testing Most tests assess psychological constructs (e.g., depression, intelligence, anxiety, extraversion, social skills, academic achievement) Most tests assess psychological constructs (e.g., depression, intelligence, anxiety, extraversion, social skills, academic achievement) Most psychological constructs are not directly relevant to the legal issue(s) at dispute in matters of custody Most psychological constructs are not directly relevant to the legal issue(s) at dispute in matters of custody What Tests Do & Dont Do Almost all tests require inference between test findings and the legal question Test Findings Legal Question Testing Caveats Many tests are not valid Many tests are not valid A valid test used inappropriately leads to invalid conclusions A valid test used inappropriately leads to invalid conclusions Tests do not identify cause of impairment Tests do not identify cause of impairment Whats Best for Kids? Good relationship with an Authoritative residential parent Good relationship with an Authoritative residential parent Minimal or Controlled Parental Conflict that does not involve children Minimal or Controlled Parental Conflict that does not involve children Economic Security Economic Security Litigation Edge Jan Marie DeLipsey,Ph.D.