Divorcio: ajuste y coparentalidad en padres y madres con hijos entre 6 y 12 años, estudiantes de instituciones educativas del cantón Cuenca, año 2024

Abstract

The increased divorce rate in recent years had led to significant changes within the family system. This strains the relationship between divorced couples in a noticeable manner and has serious implications for the well-being of children. Additionally, due to divorce, coparenting between parents becomes affected thereby impacting the well-being and care of their children. The general objective of the present study seeks to relate divorce adjustment and the quality of coarenting in fathers and mothers with children between the ages 6 and 12 who are pupils of educational institutions in the canton of Cuenca. Furthermore, the study employs a quantitative approach of non-experimental and cross-sectional nature, and its sample consists of 55 divorced fathers and mothers. The Questionnaire of Adjustment to Divorce - Separation and the Co-parenting Relationship Scale were applied and complemented with the socio-demographic form. Results show a positive correlation between divorce adjustment and coparenting quality. As to the sex of the parents, males exhibit better co-parenting quality and positive adjustment, while females demonstrate lower co-parenting quality and greater negative adjustment. The findings suggested that the participating parents display good co-parenting after divorce, while mothers face greater adjustment difficulties, highlighting the need for specific strategies to improve co-parenting to mitigate the negative effects on children's well-being. Furthermore, it is evident that addressing these challenges requires tailored support for mothers to enhance their coping strategies and promote a healthier co-parenting dynamic. This, in turn, would contribute to minimizing potential adverse consequences on children’s emotional and psychological development.