Understanding postdivorce coparenting families: integrative literature review.

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review of the research literature on postdivorce coparenting relationships and improve practice through increasing providers' understanding of this dynamic relationship. DATA SOURCES: Health science and social science literatures were reviewed using the following databases: Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Sociology Abstracts.
CONCLUSIONS: Over 290 articles were found, although only 19 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria of research conducted with both postdivorce coparents. Researchers' priorities centered on quality and conflict in the postdivorce coparenting relationships. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This review may help improve the understanding of postdivorce families and the dynamics involved in their care. Based upon this review, areas of assessment and intervention for nurse practitioners are identified. ©2011 The Author(s) Journal compilation ©2011 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.