Human Ecology Research

The Korean Home Economics Association (대한가정학회)
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The Effects of Visitation and Child Support on the Adjustment of Divorced Mothers and Adolescent Children

면접교섭과 양육비 이행이 이혼한 양육모와 청소년 자녀의 적응에 미치는 영향

  • Youngmi Shin (Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Seoul National University) ;
  • Meejung Chin (Department of Child Development & Family Studies / The Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University)
  • 신영미 (서울대학교 아동가족학과) ;
  • 진미정 (서울대학교 아동가족학과 교수/생활과학연구소)
  • Received : 2023.07.05
  • Accepted : 2023.08.22
  • Published : 2023.11.30
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Abstract

This study sought to examine the effects of current single-parent family policies on the psychological adaptation of family members in single-parent homes, while also confirming that visitation and child support are indeed in the best interests of children in such cases. An online survey was conducted in 2021 for divorced single mothers and their children (aged 11 to 19) living in metropolitan regions (Seoul, Kyunggi, and Incheon). A total of 171 dyads, comprised of single mothers and their adolescent children, participated in this study. Using the collected data, descriptive statistical analysis and structural equation modeling were performed. The major results of this study are as follows. First, visitation with fathers was not significantly associated with self-esteem, aggression, or life satisfaction among the participating adolescent children. On the other hand, when child support was paid, aggression among adolescents was lower than when child support was not paid. Second, neither visitation nor child support was significantly associated with single mothers' levels of depression and life satisfaction. The enforcement of child support guarantees the welfare of children and conforms to the principle of promoting the best interests of minor children. Therefore, child support should be continuously encouraged and supported by agencies in accordance with current law. In order for the implementation of visitation to be in the best interest of the child, the amount and quality of visitation should be secured so that the child can still recognize their non-custodial parents as "caregivers."

Keywords

References

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