Boundary Ambiguity and Coparental Conflict After Divorce: An Empirical Test of a Family Systems Model of the Divorce Process

Abstract

A family systems model of the divorce process was proposed and empirically tested for divorced mothers and fathers using a series of multiple re gression analyses. Central to the proposed model was the assertion that the failure to establish rela tionship boundaries that clearly define the former partner as a coparent, but not as a spouse, is a major source of coparental conflict after divorce. The findings supported the hypothesized positive relationship between boundary ambiguity and co parental conflict. Factors that influence boundary ambiguity also were investigated and found to be distinct for mothers and fathers. A high incidence of conflict in the coparental relationship after divorce is one of the strongest detrimental influences on children's adjustment to divorce (Emery, 1992; Grych & Fincham, 1990), resulting in both emotional and behavioral problems (Johnston, Kline, & Tschann, 1989). Some researchers suggest that high levels of conflict may be attributable to the difficult task of divorcing couples relinquishing their marital roles while still finding effective ways to parent together (Ahrons, 1981; Emery, 1994). Despite this hypothesized connection between role renegotiations and coparental conflict after divorce and despite the empirically demonstrated benefits of a coparental relationship after divorce that is low in conflict for both parents and children, little information is available about factors that influence the successful renegotiation of the boundaries that define exspousal and coparental roles after divorce. One possible explanation for this gap in the literature may be that historically divorce was often conceptualized as a life event or crisis that occurred at a certain point with a finite beginning and end (Hetherington & Clingempeel, 1992). One limitation of this approach is that it focuses on the individual and often ignores ongoing changes that occur throughout the person's relationship system (Kitson, 1992; Sev'er & Pirie, 1991). Consequently, many investigators have emphasized the adjustment of each family member and have paid little attention to interpersonal processes. More recently, both scholars and clinicians have begun to address the importance of conceptualizing divorce as a developmental process that requires the ongoing renegotiation of roles and relationships at both the individual and the dyadic levels (Emery, 1994). We designed the current project to gain insight into the intrapersonal factors that influence the ability of divorcing parents to redefine the relationship boundary between themselves and their former spouses. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Emery (1994) proposes that divorce is best viewed from a family systems perspective. A family systems model emphasizes the importance of renegotiating relationship boundaries after a divorce at the dyadic level between former spouses. Boundaries refer to the stated and unstated rules of relationship interaction. They regulate the nature of interaction that occurs among family members (Minuchin, 1974). The postdivorce period is particularly complicated due to the multitude of changes that occur in the spousal relationship. Former spouses need to establish new rules for parenting together in their new family structure, and at the same time they need to relinquish their roles as marital partners. These tasks require shifts in parental closeness and distance in areas such as affection, emotional support, and childrearing decisions. These changes are particularly relevant during the first year after a divorce when family roles are being renegotiated and when many children continue to have fairly frequent contact with both of their parents (Emery & Dillon, 1994; Seltzer, 1991). Central to the family systems model is the assertion that the failure to establish relationship boundaries that clearly define the former partner as a coparent but not as a spouse is a major source of postdivorce conflict. …