Physical Custody Reconsidered: Examining Measurement Equivalence Across Dimensions of Post-Divorce Co-Parenting

Abstract

For parents of minor children, the co-parenting relationship is often a highly salient yet volatile aspect of post-divorce life. The nature of this relationship is also dependent upon the greater social context, particularly those aspects that facilitate or constrain interactions between parents. This study evaluates four dimensions of co-parenting behaviors among a sample of recently divorced and divorcing parents (N = 396) and tests for measurement equivalence across physical custody arrangements. Item functioning was determined to be empirically similar for nonresident parents and parents with shared physical custody, so post-hoc tests were conducted comparing a combined group of these parents with a group of resident parents. Results indicated that covert conflictual behaviors falling within the exclusive control of the individual functioned similar across physical custody arrangements. Co parental support, overt forms of conflict, and covert conflict that fell outside the control of the individual differed at a mean-level. As such, there is discussion of co-parenting under particular contextual conditions and the potential impact of those conditions on child well-being.