JOINT AND SOLE CUSTODY MOTHERS - IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

The authors evaluated the ability of a conceptual model encompassing v ariables related to parenting. father involvement, and mother's resour ces to predict custody type for divorced mothers. Findings revealed th at parenting stress, coparental relationship quality, custody satisfac tion, and age of children in the household were predictive of custody type. Results indicated that mothers with joint custody reported lower levels of parenting stress, better coparental relations, and had olde r children than did sole-custody mothers. Of particular interest was t he finding that higher levels of custody satisfaction were associated with sole-custody status. The psychological meanings parents attach to legal custody status are explored along with how the organizational p roperties of custody status might differ for mothers and fathers. Impl ications for clinical practice are discussed.