The on-again, off-again relationship of Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston means that they probably won't last, but the impact of their child custody decision will have a long-lasting impact on their child, Tripp. Jacksonville family law attorneys have heard that Palin and Johnston have agreed to share legal custody.

Apparently, Palin will have primary physical custody of Tripp, while Johnston will have visitation rights two days per week.

A study in the Journal of Family Psychology analyzed 33 studies that included 1,846 sole custody and 814 joint custody children. The analysis found that...

children from divorced families who either live with both parents at different times or spend a specific amount of time with each parent are better adjusted in most cases than children who live and interact with just one parent.

Another study found that families with joint custody had fewer child adjustment problems.

Tripp is only two years old. Robert Hughes, former professor, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia says that very young children do not necessarily suffer just because their parents have separated. "When the bonds between parent and child are severely disrupted, there may be a problem. However, very young children do not necessarily suffer just because a divorce has occurred."

It is too early to say what impact the child custody decision made by Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston will have on their child. But if they can remember that the emotional, physical and spiritual welfare of is of the utmost importance, then their son and other children like him have a much better chance of maintaining a good relationship with both parents.

Source: EmaxHealth "Impact of Child Custody in Levi Johnston, Bristol Palin Case" August 14, 2010