Joan B. Kelly

Children's adjustment in conflicted marriage and divorce : A decade review of research

OBJECTIVES To review important research of the past decade in divorce, marital conflict, and childrens adjustment and to describe newer divorce interventions. METHOD Key empirical studies from 1990 to 1999 were surveyed regarding the impact of marital conflict, parental violence, and divorce on the psychological adjustment of children, adolescents, and young adults. RESULTS Recent studies investigating the impact of divorce on children have found that many of the psychological symptoms seen in children of divorce can be accounted for in the years before divorce. The past decade also has seen a large increase in studies assessing complex variables within the marriage which profoundly affect child and adolescent adjustment, including marital conflict and violence and related parenting behaviors. This newer literature provides provocative and helpful information for forensic and clinical psychiatrists in their work with both married and divorcing families. CONCLUSIONS While children of divorced parents, as a group, have more adjustment problems than do children of never-divorced parents, the view that divorce per se is the major cause of these symptoms must be reconsidered in light of newer research documenting the negative effects of troubled marriages on children.

Developmental issues in relocation cases involving young children: when, whether, and how?

Many divorced parents seek the courts permission each year to move their children to a new location away from their other parents. Such moves stress and often disrupt psychologically important parent-child relationships, and this may in turn have adverse consequences for children. This article discusses the development of attachment relationships in infants and toddlers and the ways in which relocation is likely to affect young children of different ages; recent trends in judicial decisions regarding relocation; factors to consider when deciding whether or not to permit relocation; ways of promoting long-distance relationships between young children and their non-moving parents; and implications for legal policy and clinical practice.

Part‐time parent, part‐time child: Visiting after divorce

Abstract Patterns ousiting between non‐custodial parent and child after divorce are described, as studied in a five‐year clinical research project investigating the experience and effects of divorce on 131 children and adolescents from 60 divorcing families. The changed yet significant role of the part‐time parent is discussed in the context of the extraordinary continuity in contact for many parents and their children following divorce.

Preparing for the Parenting Coordination Role: Training Needs for Mental Health and Legal Professionals

ABSTRACT Specialized training for mental health and legal professionals who undertake the role of the Parenting Coordinator is necessary for working effectively with parents with continuing high conflict. Components of a comprehensive Parenting Coordination training are described including variations in practice models, role distinctions, critical elements of Parenting Coordination Courts Orders or Consent Agreements, Parenting Coordination techniques, case management, clinical and ethical issues, whether to include children in the process, and continuing education needs.

Commentary on Walker, Brantley, and Rigsbee's (2004) “A Critical Analysis of Parental Alienation Syndrome and Its Admissibility in the Family Court”

Abstract In this response to Walker et al. (2004), we explain our perspective, recent research, and recommendations in order to correct some misunderstandings of our work on alienated children. Then we address some important issues that Walker et al. have raised that deserve the attention of the field. These include whether a child necessarily needs a relationship with both parents; when we should give children their own voice and respect their self-determination, whether children who reject a parent are significantly emotionally troubled or at-risk for emotional or mental disorders in the future; and whether they need court-ordered intervention (despite the childs and aligned parents resistance or objections). Finally, we address what are the nature, purpose, and prognosis for mandated treatment.