What are the effects on children of joint physical custody arrangements in which children have dual residence (e.g. alternating weeks or months living in each parent's home)?

Dual residence means that the child spends approximately equal amounts of time living in each parent's home. This arrangement can work well for some families, but may be very difficult for others. Researchers have found that children with joint physical custody arrangements (meaning they spend some living with each parent, by not necessarily equal time) are generally better adjusted than children in sole-custody. However, if there is a lot of conflict between parents, then joint physical custody may not be a good arrangement for children.

Other research has found that adolescents with dual custody arrangements were more satisfied with their living arrangement than adolescents who lived primarily with their mothers or fathers. Also, the adolescents with dual custody arrangements were functioning just as well as those who lived primarily with one parent. However, when there was conflict between parents, the adolescents who spent equal time living with both parents were more negatively affected by the conflict.

So, some issues to consider in deciding whether or not to pursue a dual residence arrangement are:

1. The level of conflict between parents. An equal time arrangement may not be optimal if there is a lot of conflict between parents. Parents need to be able to communicate and cooperate with each other for this type of arrangement to work well.

2. The child's level of adaptability to change. Equal time arrangements work best for children with a flexible, adaptable temperament.

3. The child's age. For preschool-age children, it may be difficult to make frequent transitions between homes. However, it also may be difficult for a preschool-age child to maintain a close bond with a parent he or she doesn't see for a long time. For adolescent children, it is important to consider whether their activities will be monitored in both homes. It is important for adolescents to be accountable to a parent who knows where they are and and what they are doing at each home.

Kim Leon, Former State Extension Specialist, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia

Last update: Friday, September 14, 2007