ADULT PROBLEM-SOLVING - CONTRIBUTOR TO PARENTING AND CHILD OUTCOMES IN DIVORCED FAMILIES

This cross-sectional study extends child outcome models by focusing on factors in the adult social domain as contributors to parenting. The sample included 138 divorced mothers, their focal sons, and their supp ort confidants assessed approximately 5 years after marital separation . The multimethod latent variable analysis tested a hypothesized progr ession stating observed confidant support would enhance problem solvin g outcomes achieved by mothers and confidants. Resolving parenting and personal issues for the mother was expected to benefit parenting prac tices (i.e., monitoring, discipline, and mother/child problem solving) , which in turn would predict a macro level measure of child antisocia l behavior. Analysis of the simplex model supported the progression. T he final model explained 36% of the variance in antisocial behavior, 1 5% of the variance in parenting, and 53% of the variance in problem so lving outcome. Dyads with cohabiting partners scored higher on problem solving outcomes than did dyads with friends or family members. The m odel is discussed in the context of social interactional and social le arning theory.