A Qualitative Study on How Caribbean Coparents Navigate Communication After Divorce and Separation

Abstract

Effective coparenting communication after divorce or separation is essential to children’s well-being and post-separation family functioning. While existing literature recognizes coparenting as a contested and culturally embedded practice, limited research has examined these dynamics within Caribbean families. This qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews with divorced and separated parents in the Trinidad and Tobago to explore how coparents navigate communication, the challenges they encounter, and the cultural influences shaping their interactions. Findings indicate that while coparents often contend with conflict, financial strain, and differing parenting philosophies, they employ adaptive strategies such as third-party mediation, formalized agreements, and reliance on extended family and community networks. Caribbean cultural norms, including gendered expectations and family role ideologies, significantly shape these communication patterns. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of post-separation parenting in Caribbean contexts and offers culturally grounded insights to inform interventions and support systems for families across the region and diaspora.