For parents, putting the children first often comes naturally. Of course, this makes issues like divorce difficult for multiple reasons.
Though there is no way to truly spare a child from all of the pains that come with divorce, it is still possible to ease their transition into this new family life. Choosing shared custody over sole custody is one potential way to do that.
Better mental health
Psychology Today discusses the impact of shared custody on children of divorce. Over the years, studies focused on these children have generally shown positive impacts and effects, and this trend continues to this day.
First, children of joint or shared custody seem to have a healthier mental state in the aftermath of divorce. They have lower reported rates of depression and anxiety compared to children who experience sole custody. They also have less severe reported instances when they do report them. On top of that, they have fewer instances of stress and trauma disorders.
Healthier coping techniques
Next, these children also tend to develop healthier coping mechanisms in childhood, which lead to overall healthier relationships and healthy coping mechanisms as adults. For one, they tend to struggle less often with addictions, which tend to be a very prominent unhealthy coping mechanism.
As far as relationships go, they lash out at peers and butt heads with authority figures less often as kids. As adults, they have more successful platonic and romantic relationships alike.
Though every family and situation differs, it is possible that opting for shared custody could give a child an edge in terms of adapting to life after divorce as healthily as they can.
