Swedish Parent’s Experiences of Joint Physical Custody

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study’s aim was to learn more about parent experiences, when living in joint physical custody with their children.

Methods: The study design was descriptive, using a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with 28 parents who lived in joint physical custody with their children. Content was analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results: Participants with joint custody reported many positive experiences, and a similar process of adapting to the new living- arrangement. Results indicate that shortly after the separation parents were mainly occupied with emotional reactions to the new family situation. After two to three years, or in some cases longer, things seemed to settle down and the participants became more accustomed to the arrangements.

Conclusion: This qualitative study provides insights into parents’ experiences of living in joint physical custody with their children. Many positive experiences and a similar process of adapting to the new arrangement were revealed. In the initial period, the parents seemed mainly to have been occupied with emotional reactions to the new family situation.

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