Children’s Health Matters in Custody Conflicts—What Do We Know?

This chapter covers the topic of research about available empirical knowledge regarding the relationships of joint physical custody, interparental conflict, and the wellbeing of children, based on a selection of recent publications from child psychology and developmental research perspectives. Addressing various objectives—such as the enhancement of the child’s feeling of protection, acknowledgement, influence, and hope—the author identifies a need for allowing children to express and explore their feelings and experiences. The chapter gives an overview of how children are affected by long duration parental conflicts and the different types of support that are required. This contribution concludes with the observation that, the means of effectively supporting children in custody conflicts must be further developed and researched. The author concludes by presenting suggestions for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children in custody conflicts.