Take Part in a New Study About Parenting After Divorce or Separation

A new study has launched which aims to find out about the experiences of families who are sharing parenting of the children after separation or divorce. divorce. The Parenting After Divorce or Separation Study will provide novel and much-needed data on family life, family relationships and child development as well as young children’s perspectives of ‘shared’ or ‘co-parenting’ in England and Scotland.

Despite the growing number of parents sharing care (e.g., two to three days a week, every other week), research looking at family relationships and child wellbeing in the case of what is known elsewhere as ‘joint physical custody’ has largely taken place in Sweden, Australia and the United States of America. Studies have also focused on the experiences of older children and those whose parents have been through the courts.

About Dr. Sarah Foley

My name is Dr Sarah Foley and I’m a psychologist at the University of Edinburgh. I’m looking for parents with four to eight year olds who are co-parenting after they’ve separated from their child’s other parent to take part in an online study which will explore parents’ experiences of coparenting, family life and children’s development. The study aims to increase understanding of parents and children in this family form, provide co-parenting families with a chance to learn about other families in similar situations and inform policy and practice.

We’re aiming to reach a diverse group of parents and are inviting professionals working with separated parents to share information about the project. If you would like to hear more about the project please email: sarah.foley@ed.ac.uk, or visit our website and share it with parents you are working with.

Parenting After Divorce or Separation Study Information

Who Can Take Part?

• Co-parents with at least one child aged between 4 - 8 years old
• Parents must have been separated for at least 6 months
• Both parents must maintain regular contact with the child(ren)
• Families must live in Scotland or England

What Will Parents Do?

• An online interview and survey
• If they wish, children are also invited to take part in some games picture and story-telling activities
• Participation is confidential and does not require all family members to take part.
• As a thank you for your time, families will receive a gift voucher.

Dr Sarah Foley is a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. Her research explores family relationships and children’s social and emotional development across diverse family forms and life transitions. Dr Foley’s research has primarily been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. You can learn more about her research here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/sarah-foley 

Email Dr. Foley: sarah.foley@ed.ac.uk 
Follow Dr. Foley on X: @SE_Foley