Fathers' Involvement and Mothers' Parenting Stress Postdivorce

Self-report data from 212 divorced mothers was analyzed to test a path model of father involvement postdivorce and parenting stress. Using multiple regression analysis, findings indicated that mothers report higher levels of father involvement postdivorce when they had supportive coparental relationships with their former spouses, lived nearby their children's father, and had higher incomes and child support. Higher levels of interparental conflict were also associated with greater involvement on the part of fathers. Fathers' involvement was not significantly related to mothers' parenting stress. Child characteristics and socio-economic factors appeared most predictive of mothers' reports of their parenting stress. Possible explanations for these finding, as well as policy implications, are discussed.