Spoilt or Deprived? A study on the Consequences of Post-Divorce Family Configurations for the Material Well-Being of Children

Sofie Vanassche, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
An Katrien Sodermans, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Koen Matthijs, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Gray Swicewood, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Although the economic consequences of divorce are subject of a large amount of studies, in most research the children’s viewpoint is neglected. However, due to the ‘promotion’ of co-parenting as the ideal post-divorce model, more and more children continue to have contact with both parents or are living alternating in two parental households. These specific living arrangements can have very specific outcomes for the material well-being of children. This study investigates 1) the impact of divorce and post-divorce family arrangements (e.g. custody arrangement & step family characteristics) on the material well-being of children and 2) the importance of this material well-being for their general life satisfaction. The data that is used contains information on the family situations and relationships of 2052 adolescent’s and different aspects of their well-being. Material well-being is measured with questions related to their own living environment (e.g. pocket money, having a MP3-player, …).