Enhancing potentials for research on post-separation families using the Growing Up in Germany panel study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-1216Keywords:
AID:A panel study, parental relationship indicators, co-parenting, parent-child relationship quality, divorce, shared physical care, non-resident parentAbstract
Objective: This study presents the "Post-Separation Family" (PSF) module within the panel study "Growing Up in Germany" (German title: Aufwachsen In Deutschland: Alltagswelten [AID:A]) and discusses its contribution to providing information on diverse post-separation family constellations in Germany.
Background: Rates of separation and divorce are persistently high in Western societies, and post-separation families are increasingly diverse and complex. However, official statistics and large-scale surveys in Germany often lack detailed data on post-separation family constellations, particularly regarding non-resident parents.
Method: The PSF module in AID:A collects comprehensive information on everyday practices, conflicts, and parental care involvement of a wide range of family constellations. It enables the classification of diverse family constellations, such as single parents and stepfamilies, and includes data on non-resident parents.
Results: In 2019, about 23% of families with minors were post-separation families with a non-resident parent (i.e., 17% single-parents, 6% stepfamilies). About 12% of minors in post-separation families practiced a shared care arrangement according to the PSF module data. Key measures on post-separation care arrangements can be further linked to the broad spectrum of outcomes collected in AID:A (e.g., economic hardship, subjective well-being, and parental education).
Conclusion: The PSF module represents a concise instrument for analyzing post-separation family diversity in Germany, which could lay the groundwork for national and international comparisons of diverse family constellations if adopted in other surveys.
References
Adamsons, K., & Johnson, S. K. (2013). An updated and expanded meta-analysis of nonresident fathering and child well-being. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(4): 589–599. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033786
Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4): 1269–1287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269.x
Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: Continuing trends and new developments. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3): 650–666. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00723.x
Amato, P., Meyers, C., & Emery, R. (2009). Changes in Nonresident Father-Child Contact from 1976 to 2002. Family Relations, 58(1): 41–53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2008.00533.x
Augustijn, L. (2023). Post-separation Care Arrangements and Parents’ Life Satisfaction: Can the Quality of Co-parenting and Frequency of Interparental Conflict Explain the Relationship? Journal of Happiness Studies, 24(4): 1319–1338. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-023-00643-5
Baude, A., Drapeau, S., Lachance, V., & Ivers, H. (2023) Trajectories of Paternal Contact After Parental Separation: A Latent Class Growth Analysis. Journal of Family Issues, 45(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X231151297
Bernardi, L., & Mortelmans, D. (2021). Advances in research on shared physical custody by interdisciplinary approaches. In L. Bernardi & D. Mortelmans (Eds.), Shared Physical Custody: Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Empirical Insights in Custody Arrangements (pp. 1–18). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68479-2_1
Bernardi, L., Mortelmans, D., & Larenza, O. (2018). Changing Lone Parents, Changing Life Courses. In L. Bernardi & D. Mortelmans (Eds.), Lone Parenthood in the Life Course. Life Course Research and Social Policies, Vol. 8 (pp. 1-26). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63295-7_1
Boll, C., & Schüller, S. (2023). The Economic Well-Being of Nonresident Fathers and Custodial Mothers Revisited: The Role of Paternal Childcare. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 44(4): 836–853. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-022-09876-7
Bujard, M., Gummer, T., Hank, K., Neyer, F. J., Pollak, R., Schneider, N., … & Zerche, J. (2025). FReDA – The German Family Demography Panel Study (Study No. ZA7777; V5.0.0) [Data set]. GESIS.
Braun, D., Kuger, S., Pötter, U., Prein, G., & Quellenberg, H. (2021). AID:A Technischer Bericht. German Youth Institute.
Brüderl, J., Drobnič, S., Hank, K., Neyer, F. J., Walper, S., Wolf, C., … & Wetzel, M. (2023). The German Family Panel (pairfam) (Study No. ZA5678, V14.1.0) [Dataset]. GESIS.
Cancian, M., Meyer, D. R., Brown, P. R., & Cook, S. T. (2014). Who gets custody now? Dramatic changes in children’s living arrangements after divorce. Demography, 51(4): 1381–1396. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-014-0307-8
Destatis (2023). Familien nach Lebensform und Kinderzahl in Deutschland.
Eurostat (2023) Marriage and divorce statistics.
Grunow, D., Begall, K., & Buchler, S. (2018). Gender ideologies in Europe: A multidimensional framework. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(1): 42–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12453
Hank, K., Gummer, T., Bujard, M., Neyer, F. J., Pollak, R., … & Thönnissen, C. (2024). A new data infrastructure for family research and demographic analysis: The German Family Demography Panel Study (FReDA). European Sociological Review, 41(2): 316–328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcae019
Hense, S., Pohlabeln, H., Michels, N., Mårild, S., Lissner, L., Kovacs, E., ... & Ahrens, W. (2013). Determinants of Attrition to Follow‐Up in a Multicentre Cohort Study in Children‐Results from the IDEFICS Study. Epidemiology Research International, 2013(1): 936365. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/936365
Huinink, J., Brüderl, J., Nauck, B., Walper, S., Castiglioni, L., & Feldhaus, M. (2011). Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam): Conceptual Framework and Design. Zeitschrift für Familienforschung/Journal of Family Research, 23(1): 77-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-235
Köppen, K., Kreyenfeld, M., & Trappe, H. (2020). Gender Differences in Parental Well-being after Separation: Does Shared Parenting Matter? In M. Kreyenfeld & H. Trappe (Eds.), Parental Life Courses after Separation and Divorce in Europe. Life Course Research and Social Policies, Vol. 12 (pp. 235–264). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44575-1_12
Kuger, S., Prein, G., Linberg, A., Recksiedler, C., Herz, A., Gille, M., … & Entleitner-Phleps, C. (2020). Aufwachsen in Deutschland: Alltagswelten von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien. Haupterhebung, 2019 (V1) [Data set]. German Youth Institute.
Kuger, S., Prein, G., Linberg, A., Recksiedler, C., Herz, A., Gille, M., … & Fischer, A. (2022). Aufwachsen in Deutschland: Alltagswelten 2021 (AID:A 2021). Alltagswelten von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien. Haupterhebung 2021. (V1) [Data set]. German Youth Institute.
Kuger, S., Pötter, U., & Quellenberg, H. (2023). Growing up in Germany prior to and in the early days of the pandemic: AID:A 2019 data on children, youth, and families. Soziale Welt, 74(3): 466–478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5771/0038-6073-2023-3-466
Kuhnt, A. K., & Steinbach, A. (2014). Diversität von Familie in Deutschland. In A. Steinbach, M. Hennig, & O. Arránz Becker (Eds.), Familie im Fokus der Wissenschaft: Familienforschung (pp. 41–70). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-02895-4_3
Kreyenfeld, M., & Trappe, H. (2020). Introduction: Parental Life Courses After Separation and Divorce in Europe. In M. Kreyenfeld & H. Trappe (Eds.), Parental Life Courses after Separation and Divorce in Europe. Life Course Research and Social Policies, Vol. 12 (pp. 3–21). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44575-1_1
Langmeyer, A. N., Recksiedler, C., Entleitner-Phleps, C., & Walper, S. (2022). Post-Separation Physical Custody Arrangements in Germany: Examining Sociodemographic Correlates, Parental Coparenting, and Child Adjustment. Social Sciences, 11(3): 114–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11030114
Lechevalier, A. (2019) Dynamics of gendered employment regimes in France and Germany over the two last decades: How can they be explained? In I. Berrebi-Hoffmann, O. Giraud, L. Renard, & T. Wobbe (Eds.), Categories in context: Gender and work in France and Germany, 1900–Present (pp. 155–195). Berghahn Book. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv12pns7v.12
Li, J., Bünning, M., Kaiser, T., & Hipp, L. (2021). Who suffered most? Parental stress and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Journal of Family Research, 34(1): 281–309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-704
Lietzmann, T. (2014). After recent policy reforms in Germany: Probability and determinants of labour market integration of lone mothers and mothers with a partner who receive welfare benefits. Social Politics, 21(4): 585–616. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sp/jxu011
Lux, U., & Walper, S. (2019). A systemic perspective on children’s emotional insecurity in relation to father: Links to parenting, interparental conflict and children’s social well-being. Attachment & Human Development, 21(5): 467–484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2019.1582597
Meyer, D. R., Carlson, M. J., & Ul Alam, M. M. (2022). Increases in shared custody after divorce in the United States. Demographic Research, 46: 1137–1162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2022.46.38
McLanahan, S. (2004). Diverging destinies: How children are faring under the second demographic transition. Demography, 41(4): 607-627. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/dem.2004.0033
McLanahan, S., Jacobsen, W. (2015). Diverging Destinies Revisited. In P. Amato, A. Booth, S. McHale, & J. Van Hook (Eds.), Families in an Era of Increasing Inequality: Diverging Destinies (pp. 3–23). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08308-7_1
Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and Family Therapy. Harvard University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674041127
Nielsen, L. (2018). Joint versus sole physical custody: Outcomes for children independent of family income or parental conflict. Journal of Child Custody, 15(1): 35–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15379418.2017.1422414
Pailhé, A., Panico, L., & Heers, M. (2020). Being born to a single mother in France: trajectories of father’s involvement over the first year of life. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 11(1): 123-149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/175795919X15720984151059
Poortman, A. R. (2000). Sex differences in the economic consequences of separation: A panel study of the Netherlands. European Sociological Review, 16(4): 367–383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/16.4.367
Raley, R. K., & Sweeney, M. M. (2020). Divorce, repartnering, and stepfamilies: A decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1): 81–99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12651
Rauschenbach, T. & German Youth Institute (2012). Aufwachsen in Deutschland: Alltagswelten 2009 (AID:A 2009, V1) [Data set]. German Youth Institute.
Rauschenbach, T. & German Youth Institute (2018). Aufwachsen in Deutschland: Alltagswelten 2014 (AID:A 2014, V1) [Data set]. German Youth Institute.
Recksiedler, C., Langmeyer, A. N., Entleitner-Phleps, C., & Walper, S. (2022). Profiles of Maternal Well-Being in Germany: Do Post-Separation Physical Custody Arrangements Matter? Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 63(3): 214–233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2021.1993026
Recksiedler, C., Entleitner-Phleps, C., & Langmeyer, A. N. (2024). Change in Maternal Well-Being during COVID-19 Pandemic: Did Pre-Pandemic Social Support and Parenting Stress Buffer or Aggravate Mental Health Disparities among Lone and Partnered Mothers in Germany? Journal of Family Research, 36: 85–102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-992
Schoppe‐Sullivan, S. J., & Fagan, J. (2020). The evolution of fathering research in the 21st century: Persistent challenges, new directions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1): 175–197. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12645
Smock, P. J., & Schwartz, C. R. (2020). The demography of families: A review of patterns and change. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1): 9–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12612
Schneider, N. F., Bujard, M., Wolf, C., Gummer, T., Hank, K., & Neyer, F. J. (2021). Family Research and Demographic Analysis (FReDA): Evolution, Framework, Objectives, and Design of “The German Family Demography Panel Study.” Comparative Population Studies, 46: 149-186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12765/CPoS-2021-06
Sodermans, A. K., Matthijs, K., & Swicegood, G. (2013). Characteristics of joint physical custody families in Flanders. Demographic Research, 28: 821–48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2013.28.29
Sodermans, A. K., Vanassche, S., Matthijs, K., & Swicegood, G. (2014). Measuring postdivorce living arrangements: Theoretical and empirical validation of the residential calendar. Journal of Family Issues, 35(1): 125–145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X12464947
Steinbach, A. (2019). Children's and parents’ well‐being in joint physical custody: A literature review. Family Process, 58(2): 353–369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12372
Steinbach, A., & Helms, T. (2020). Familienmodelle in Deutschland (FAMOD, V1.0.0) [Data set]. GESIS.
van Spijker, F., Kalmijn, M., & van Gaalen, R. (2022). The long-term improvement in father–child relationships after divorce. Demographic Research, 46: 441–452. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2022.46.15
Vowels, L. M., Comolli, C. L., Bernardi, L., Chacón-Mendoza, D., & Darwiche, J. (2023). Systematic review and theoretical comparison of children’s outcomes in post-separation living arrangements. Plos one, 18(6): e0288112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288112
Walper, S., Entleitner-Phleps, C., & Langmeyer, A. N. (2021). Shared Physical Custody After Parental Separation: Evidence from Germany. In L. Bernardi & D. Mortelmans (Eds.), Shared Physical Custody: Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Empirical Insights in Custody Arrangements (pp. 285–308). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68479-2_13
Williamson, H. C. (2024). Innovative strategies for increasing sample size and diversity in family science research. Journal of Marriage and Family, 86(5): 1393-1409. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12961
Zoch, G., & Schober, P. S. (2018). Public child‐care expansion and changing gender ideologies of parents in Germany. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(4): 1020–1039. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12486
