Divorced co-parenting in rural communities: Understanding perceptions of parental quality from a socio-cognitive-behavioral perspective

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of post-divorce co-parenting relationship quality for biological mothers and fathers of minor children who lived in rural areas. Quantitative methods were applied. Questionnaires were mailed within a seven county region. Eighty parents returned questionnaires. Correlations and ANOVAs were performed. Co-parenting expectation was measured by the Markham Expectation subscale. Parental efficacy was measured by the Baker Self-Efficacy Scale and the Campis, Lyman, and Prentice-Dunn Parental Efficacy Scale. Co-parenting communication was measured by the Quality of Co-Parental Communication Scale. Co-parenting satisfaction was measured by the Cleminshaw-Guidubaldi Parent Satisfaction Scale. Parents with high expectations of co-parenting had low co-parenting communication and low co-parenting satisfaction. Resident parents had stronger beliefs about expectations as well as greater satisfaction with their co-parenting role when compared with non-resident parents. Recommendations are to investigate reasons that differences exist between resident parents and non-resident parents on co-parenting expectations, co-parenting efficacy and co-parenting satisfaction.