Children from low-income families have better outcomes when both parents view their co-parenting relationship positively, according to a study by Ohio State University. Outcomes were worst when both parents viewed their relationship negatively. However, when co-parenting was seen as moderately good, and mothers and fathers had different views on their co-parenting relationship, children were almost as well-adjusted as those whose parents saw their relationship positively. When fathers had negative views, child outcomes were poorer, indicating psychological distress may affect parenting duties and lead to more conflict and poorer engagement with children. Practitioners working with parents may need to pay special attention when fathers are less positive than mothers about their co-parenting relationship.

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Hsin-Yu Huang

UConn KIDS Research Assistant

 

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