Impact of conflicted child custody on school, behavioral, and social outcomes: An ecological approach

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the impact of child custody arrangements, impaired family functioning, parental distress, family structure, individual vulnerability factors, degree of resilience in coping, school characteristics, and community factors on children’s educational, behavioral, and social outcomes. This approach emphasizes an ecological model to clarify the relative impact of individual risk factors, family conditions, school characteristics, and community risk factors on children. Expert witnesses, attorneys and law firms, and families should recognize the important role of the ecological approach in determining appropriate child custody arrangements.