In this section, Kerry and Palmer break down key research on how children fare in shared parenting arrangements—and the findings are both reassuring and eye-opening.
A 2020 Swedish national study found that children who spend roughly equal time with both parents have significantly better mental and physical health than those in primary custody setups. Nearly 75% of kids in shared care reported strong emotional wellbeing and fewer stress-related symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
But shared time isn’t the only factor. A 2024 Greek study of kids aged 4–7 found that when parents practiced sensitive, responsive parenting, 80% of children showed strong emotional regulation and social confidence—often rivaling or even exceeding their peers from intact families.
A 2022 meta-analysis reinforced that it’s not the divorce itself, but the quality of parenting and co-parenting afterward that most strongly predicts a child’s academic, emotional, and social outcomes.
The science goes even deeper. High-conflict transitions spike stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can impair developing brain areas. But with consistent, predictable routines, kids’ stress systems begin to normalize in just a few months.