A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF FAMILY SYSTEMS INFLUENCES ON INDIVIDUAL DIVORCE ADJUSTMENT

The influence of family systems variables on family member’s divorce adjustment was examined in this study. Subjects included 36 families who had been separated or divorced only once, for 6 to 30 months, and had a child between 6 and 16 years old. The custodial parent completed questionnaires regarding family functioning, single parenting, occurrence and subjective evaluation of specific post-divorce events, one child’s adjustment to the divorce, and parental divorce adjustment. Data were analyzed using hybrid (stepwise/hierarchical) multiple regression analyses. Sixty-three percent of families were high on the Cohesion and/or Democratic family style dimensions. These family styles were related to healthier, more supportive family relationships and clearer, more direct, communication among family members. Approximately 30 percent of families were high on the Conflict and/or Laissez-Faire family style dimensions. These latter dimensions related to less healthy family relationships and communication styles. Notably, significantly poorer child and/or parental functioning were associated to these latter families. The impact of competent custodial parenting on child and family adjustment to divorce is discussed. © 1991 by The Haworth Press, Inc.