Post-divorce representations of marital negotiation during marriage predict parenting alliance in newly divorced parents

Abstract

Literature demonstrates that marital and co-parenting subsystems are intercorrelated and have autonomous functions in the family system. This study explored representations of marital negotiation strategies for conflict resolution during marriage and parenting alliance relationship after divorce, using data from Portuguese newly divorced parents. In multiple regression analysis, representations of marital negotiation strategies for conflict resolution during marriage used by ex-spouses predict positive parenting alliance relationship after divorce. These results suggest that representations of pre-divorce marital relationship influence positively current interparental relationship regarding child rearing after marital dissolution. Implications for clinical interventions are also discussed.

Keywords:

• negotiation
• marriage
• divorce
• parenting alliance
• co-parenting

Notes

1. In Portugal, mutual consent divorces are officialised at the local Register Offices without needing court validation (almost 90% of divorces in Portugal are mutual consenting divorces).