• Full-time, Part-time Full-time, and Part-time Fathers: Divorced Father Identities
  Presented by: Jessica Troilo, Marilyn Coleman
• Effects of Divorce Versus Cohabitation Break-up on Young Children
  Presented by: Jay Fagan
• Economic Strain, Social Emotional Behaviors, and Remarriage Outcomes
  Presented by: Chien-Ti Lee, Stacey S. MacArthur, Brian J. Higginbotham

Abstracts

Full-time, Part-time Full-time, and Part-time Fathers: Divorced Father Identities

Presented by: Jessica Troilo, Marilyn Coleman

This grounded theory study examined how 20 men experience the transition from married, residential to divorced, nonresidential fatherhood. The core phenomenon that emerged from this study was that each father believed that he was involved. Despite this belief, the influence of gender, fatherhood beliefs, and perceptions of supports and barriers to their involvement influenced their involved father identity. Among the 20 fathers, three types emerged based on their descriptions of their fatherhood identities: Full-Time Fathers, Part-Time Full-Time Fathers, and Part-Time Fathers. The findings study suggest that involvement is dependent on each man's experience with divorced nonresidential fatherhood.

Effects of divorce versus cohabitation break-up on young children

Presented by: Jay Fagan

This study examined the effects of cohabitation dissolution or divorce compared with the effects of consistent marriage on 48-month old children using the Early Childhood Longitudinal-Birth cohort data.  The sample included biological mothers who were married or cohabiting with the biological father at 24 months. Mothers who were divorced between 24 and 48 months had children with significantly lower literacy scores than children whose mothers were married. The children of mothers who terminated their cohabitation relationship with the biological father between 24 and 48 months did not score lower on literacy. Change in SES mediated the association between divorce and child literacy.

Economic Strain, Social Emotional Behaviors, and Remarriage Outcomes

Presented by: Chien-Ti Lee, Stacey S. MacArthur, Brian J. Higginbotham

Previous studies have indicated that economic strain and adverse marital interactions can lead to undesirable marital outcomes. Little is known about these connections among remarried couples. Using a sample of remarried individuals, 686 men and 739 women, we found marital instability and quality were influenced by economic strain through decreased spousal warmth and increased spousal hostility. Some unique outcomes of remarried couples were identified in relation to the effects of economic strain mainly related to remarried wives. This study extends the body of knowledge on marital financial strain by using family stress theory with a remarried sample.

Women's Relational Experiences Prior to Providing Care to Ex-Husbands

Presented by: Christine Proulx, Teresa Cooney, Jacqueline Benson, Linley Snyder, Claire Wood

Family members provide the bulk of care to persons in later life, representing 83% of caregivers (NAC & AARP, 2004). However, studies (e.g., Curran et al., 2003) confirm that men with a history of divorce are less likely than married men to view family members as potential caregivers. This paper presents our initial findings from a qualitative study on the relational experiences of ex-wives who chose to provide end of life care to their ex-husbands. Several themes emerge, including chaotic marital relations, continued contact post-divorce, and relational continuities and discontinuities with ex-husbands.