The association between joint physical custody and children’s mental health. Do children’s experiences of parental loyalty conflicts moderate the relationship?

Abstract

This study investigated the association between joint physical custody (JPC), parental loyalty conflict (PLC) behaviours and children's mental health in a sample of 284 children aged 11 to 14 from the FAMOD survey. The results of the linear regression models indicated that children in JPC families had better mental health than children in sole physical custody families, and that PLC behaviours negatively affected children's mental health. Furthermore, children's experiences of PLC behaviours moderated the association between JPC and their mental health, with high levels of PLC behaviours leading to a noticeable decline in the mental health of children in JPC families.