A1 Journal article (refereed)
Perhekeskusten työntekijöiden käsitykset yhteisvanhemmuudesta (2023)
Family Center Professionals’ Conceptions of Coparenting

Kekkonen, M., Malinen, K., Moilanen, J., & Rönkä, A. (2023). Perhekeskusten työntekijöiden käsitykset yhteisvanhemmuudesta. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen aikakauslehti, 60(2), 155-168. https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.117870

JYU authors or editors

Moilanen, Johanna
Rönkä, Anna

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kekkonen, Marjatta; Malinen, Kaisa; Moilanen, Johanna; Rönkä, Anna

Journal or series: Sosiaalilääketieteellinen aikakauslehti

ISSN: 0355-5097

eISSN: 2242-9298

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 01/06/2023

Volume: 60

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 155-168

Publisher: Sosiaalilääketieteen yhdistys ry

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.117870

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Delayed open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89124

Additional information: Artikkeli avautuu journal.fi-palvelussa 12 kk ilmestymisen jälkeen.

Abstract

Coparenting refers to the relationship between adults who share responsibility for the care of a child. Coparenting is a triadic family sub-system distinct from the dyadic parent-child and couple relationship sub-systems, and it is linked to the child’s well-being and positive development. Coparenting research has expanded its focus beyond divorced parents to include nondivorced parents and new parents in the transition to parenthood. This study investigated the conceptions of coparenting held by professionals’ working in various family center services. Data were collected from participants (n=21) in five focus groups interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis and ATLAS.ti. The participants were employed in maternity and child healthcare clinics, family work and counseling services, and in family social work and child welfare services. The analysis yielded five main themes pertaining to professionals’ conceptions about coparenting: family-specific division of responsibilities, parents’ shared understanding on upbringing, open dialogical interaction between parents, mutual trust, and the participation of both parents. Thus, the results indicate that the concept of coparenting is familiar to different professionals working in family centers. However, systematic use of the concept could help both professionals and families to recognize when they are dealing with issues related to a mutual parenting relationship as distinct from an individual parent-child relationship or adult romantic couple relationship. Foregrounding coparenting issues in universal family services could support parental reflection on how to share parental leave so that the child’s right to receive care from both parents is not impaired.

Keywords: families with children; joint custody; parenthood; parent-child relationship; pedagogical objectives; division of labour; interaction; social services; social workers; family work