Coparenting conflict and children's mental health outcomes after parental divorce: A systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63053/ijhes.191Keywords:
Coparenting conflict, parental divorce, child mental health, systematic reviewAbstract
Background: Marital dissolution is a significant life transition for parents and children. Among the family processes after divorce that affect child outcomes, coparenting conflict has emerged as one of the variables that has been consistently and extensively studied and has yielded significant implications.
Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesize empirical evidence on the relationship between coparenting conflict after parental divorce and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents.
Method: In accordance with the 2020 Guidelines for Reporting Preferences for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, a systematic search was conducted in the PsychInfo, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for articles published between 2018 and 2026. Of the initial 847 records, 20 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool.
Findings: The reviewed literature converged on strong associations between high levels of coparenting conflict and a wide range of child mental health problems, including internalizing problems (anxiety, depression, physical complaints), externalizing problems (aggression, conduct disorder), posttraumatic stress symptoms, and emotional dysregulation. Parenting quality, child coping strategies, and parent-child relationship warmth were identified as key mediators and moderators of these effects.
Conclusion: Coparenting conflict in the context of divorce is a strong risk factor for child psychopathology. Interventions that reduce destructive conflict between parents, enhance parenting competence, and expand children's coping resources are essential priorities in clinical practice and family policy.
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