Post‐Separation Parenting Disputes and the Many Faces of High Conflict: Theory and Research

• DOI: 10.1002/anzf.1346
• Publication Date: 2019-03-09T13:43:03Z
• Authors: Bruce M. Smyth; Lawrence J. Moloney
• Keywords: Hatred; Conflict resolution research; Separation (statistics); Conflict theories

Couple conflict, which includes conflict over parenting practices, continues to be a topic of considerable interest family therapists. Following parental separation, resolution or management children has special urgency. ‘High‐conflict’ cases present some the most complex systemic and clinical challenges. In this first two related articles in issue ANZJFT , we set out key ideas – old, new about from divorce literature. We Australian data on separated parents’ reports, found significant at three different points time after separation consider implications. suggest that while ‘high conflict’ an intuitive feel as descriptor for difficult post‐separation disputes, it limited utility blanket term inform research practice. The article acts conceptual backdrop earlier paper (Smyth & Moloney, 2017), dynamics enduring conflict.’ these might qualitatively those intensely felt disputes develop but then recede. also amongst there are likely with especially challenging such interparental hatred.