Abstract
Framed by equity theory, fairness beliefs regarding child support modification to account for the financial impact of remarriage and subsequent childbirth were assessed. Based on a random sample of 407 Kentucky residents using a multiple segment factorial vignette approach, modification was supported by 57% of respondents following remarriage, but only 12% believed that child support should be modified following childbirth. Support for modification was greater when the impetus was a change in the marital or parental status of the child support obligor than the recipient. Downward modification when the obligor's financial situation worsened was favored more than upward modification when the obligor's financial situation improved. Overall, response patterns showed little support for applying existing child support models to modification decisions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 65-78 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Family Relations |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2009 |
Keywords
- Child support
- Divorce
- Equity theory
- Remarriage
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)