Divorce and child custody

Child custody determines the care, protection, and supervision of a child. In certain legal proceedings, such as divorce or separation, the court may grant custody to one or both parents following a child custody evaluation.

Divorce is the legal dissolution of marriage, leaving the partners free to remarry. Divorce may significantly influence well-being, with many individuals experiencing depression, loneliness and isolation, self-esteem difficulties, or other psychological distress. Parental divorce also has been shown to have negative consequences on the psychosocial adjustment of children and adolescents.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology definitions of child custody and divorce.

Resources from APA

What the movies get right (and wrong) about relationships

Paul Eastwick, PhD, and Eli Finkel, PhD, talk about dating and relationship truths and myths in films

New guidelines for child custody evaluationslogin required

Updated guidelines emphasize new research that better supports the best interests of the child

graphic of a break in a road with a man and a woman on either side

Treating challenging couples caseslogin required

Specially trained psychologists are using evidence-based practices to help heal relationship fractures in challenging couples cases.

drawing of a man sitting at a table with another man holding an umbrella over the table

Talking through practicalities of divorce later in life

Mental health clinicians can help people think through the practical implications of divorce, such as impact on caregiving and medical decision-making plans

More resources about divorce

What APA is doing

Advocacy

Children, youth, and families

APA Services advocates for policies to prevent children’s exposure to violence and expand access to treatment and essential services for children who have experienced violence.

Offices

Children, youth, and families portfolio

The Children, Youth, and Families office aims to advance the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge on child development issues to benefit society and improve the lives of all children and their families.

teacher and student in preschool classroom

Divisions

Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice

APA’s Division 37 is committed to the application of psychological knowledge to advocacy, social justice, service delivery, and public policies affecting children, youth, and families in a diverse and inclusive society.

Divisions

Society for Couple and Family Psychology

APA’s Division 43 provides a home for psychologists interested in families in their many forms. Clinical, scientific, educational, and public policy perspectives are well represented in the wide range of divisional activities.