Date of Conferral

3-30-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jessica Millimen

Abstract

Custody decisions are often informed by attachment-based arguments, yet little research has examined long-term effects of custody type on adult outcomes. This study involved examining whether joint versus sole physical custody predicted relationship satisfaction, testing both parental attachment and socioeconomic status as mediators. Data were collected from 226 adult participants (mean age = 33.42), whose parents separated before age 13. Validated measures were used to assesse relationship satisfaction, parental attachment, and socioeconomic status. Participants who grew up in joint physical custody arrangements reported significantly higher relationship satisfaction compared to those who experienced sole physical custody (b = 0.54, p = .038). Bootstrapped parallel mediation analysis revealed socioeconomic status was the sole significant mediator of custody and relationship satisfaction (95% CI [0.01, 0.31]). The direct custody effect on relationship satisfaction became nonsignificant after introducing mediators. Parental attachment did not significantly mediate this relationship. Results suggest increased access to economic resources because of joint custody may explain its link with adult relationship satisfaction. Findings of this study include evidence that family courts and practitioners can use when making custody choices regarding children’s long-term relational development.

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