Our message is simple

when parents separate, children should not

Resources

Put Children First is grounded in decades of peer reviewed research demonstrating that children’s emotional, psychological, and developmental wellbeing is best supported when both parents remain actively involved following separation or divorce. The following studies and professional guidelines inform our advocacy, programs, and community education.

Children’s Mental Health and Family Separation

Emotional and Behavioral Outcomes

Amato, P. R. (2001). Children of divorce in the 1990s: An update of the Amato and Keith meta analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 15(3), 355–370.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.15.3.355

This landmark meta analysis found that children from divorced families experience higher rates of emotional distress, behavioral challenges, and academic difficulties compared to children from intact families, particularly when protective supports are lacking.

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Lansford, J. E. (2009). Parental divorce and children’s adjustment. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(2), 140–152.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01114.x

This review highlights increased risks for emotional and behavioral difficulties while emphasizing that outcomes vary significantly depending on parenting practices and post separation dynamics.

Anxiety, Depression, and Emotional Security

Kelly, J. B., & Emery, R. E. (2003). Children’s adjustment following divorce: Risk and resilience perspectives. Family Relations, 52(4), 352–362.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2003.00352.x

This study shows that children of divorce face elevated risks of anxiety and depression, particularly when parental conflict remains unresolved.

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Hetherington, E. M., & Kelly, J. (2002). For Better or For Worse: Divorce Reconsidered. W. W. Norton & Company.

A longitudinal examination demonstrating how emotional insecurity and internalizing behaviors emerge when children lose consistent access to one parent.

Factors That Influence Mental Health Outcomes

Parental Conflict and Parent Child Relationships

Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (2010). Marital Conflict and Children: An Emotional Security Perspective. Guilford Press.

High interparental conflict, rather than divorce itself, is one of the strongest predictors of emotional distress, anxiety, and behavioral dysregulation in children.

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Fabricius, W. V., & Luecken, L. J. (2007). Post divorce living arrangements, parent conflict, and long term physical health correlates for children of divorce. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(2), 195–205.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.21.2.195

Findings show that diminished relationships with either parent contribute to long term emotional and physical health risks.

Protective Factors and Effective Interventions

Cooperative Co Parenting

Sandler, I. N., et al. (2012). Quality of parenting as a protective factor for children in divorced families. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40(3), 391–403.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-011-9576-4

Positive parenting practices and cooperative co parenting significantly reduce emotional and behavioral problems in children.

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Teubert, D., & Pinquart, M. (2010). The association between coparenting and child adjustment: A meta analysis. Parenting: Science and Practice, 10(4), 286–307.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15295192.2010.492040

This meta analysis confirms that supportive co parenting is associated with better emotional regulation and lower stress levels in children.

Long Term Outcomes and Resilience

Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: Continuing trends and new developments. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 650–666.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00723.x

While divorce can pose short term challenges, children demonstrate resilience when supported by stable relationships and consistent parenting.

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Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development. Guilford Press.

Resilience is fostered through strong attachments, consistent caregiving, and supportive family systems.

Shared Parenting and Mental Health Outcomes

Bauserman, R. (2012). Child adjustment in joint custody versus sole custody arrangements: A meta analytic review. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(1), 91–102.
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027589

Children in shared parenting arrangements show better emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes than those in sole custody settings.

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Nielsen, L. (2018). Joint versus sole physical custody: Children’s outcomes independent of parent conflict. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 59(4), 247–281.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2018.1454204

Shared parenting is associated with lower stress and better adjustment, even when parental conflict exists.

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Warshak, R. A. (2014). Social science and parenting plans for young children. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 20(1), 46–67.
https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000005

Supports substantial involvement of both parents as critical to children’s emotional security and mental health.

Evidence Based Conclusion

The research is clear. Children fare best emotionally, psychologically, and developmentally when both parents remain actively involved, when conflict is reduced, and when shared parenting and cooperative co-parenting are supported. Put Children First is committed to translating this evidence into practice, policy, and public awareness.