PREDIVORCE AND POSTDIVORCE FATHER CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND CHILD ADJUSTMENT - NONCUSTODIAL FATHERS PERSPECTIVES

Divorced noncustodial fathers (n = 106), often disregarded in the lite rature, were surveyed regarding influences on their parenting relation ships with their children, and the effects of this relationship on the ir child's adjustment, prior to and following divorce. Social support for fathers' post-divorce parenting involvement and support for and co operation with their parental role from their ex-wives were predictive of their post-divorce relationships with their children. Fathers' rel ationships with their children and support for their parental role fro m their ex-wives contributed significantly to fathers' evaluations of their child's adjustment. The methodological limitations of this surve y approach, and related suggestions for future research, are indicated within the context of the exploration of fathers' continuing role in their child's life and in the study of divorce.