Access by Noncustodial Parents

This investigation examined the influence of visitation by noncustodial parents (i.e., frequency and duration of contacts) upon children's self-esteem and self-efficacy. The relationship between noncustodial visitation practices and interparental conflict witnessed by children was explored as well. Thirty-five elementary school children and their divorced parents participated in this investigation. All families were experiencing sole residential child-care arrangements with variations in the frequency and duration of noncustodial visitation. Regression analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between duration of visits and children's self-esteem. The frequency of visitation with noncustodial parents was found to be positively associated with the level of interparental hostility.