Impact of Custody Arrangement and Family Structure on Remarriage

This research examined the effects of joint versus maternal legal custody, whether or not the stepfather had biological children from prior marriage, and sex and age of adolescent on custodial mother's remarriage. Eighty-four middle class remarried mothers and their husbands each completed a questionnaire in the family's home. Marital satisfaction was highest for couples with girls in joint custody. Mothers of early adolescent daughters reported better relations with ex-spouses than mothers of later adolescent daughters; no difference was reported for sons. Stepfathers who had no prior children reported more competition with the biological father than stepfathers who were also fathers to their own biological children. Couples in joint custody arrangements with stepfathers who had no prior children reported the most role ambiguity (disagreement and confusion about the stepfather's role in the family). The results suggesst that custody decisions made at the time of divorce can have an impact on subsequent remarriage, and that stepfamilies need help in creating roles for stepparents that complement biological parents' roles.