Chair and Professor of Sociology Teresa M. Cooney (recently named to the Editorial Board of The Journal of Adult Development) had a qualitative study published in 2014 (with Christine Proulx, Professor at the University of Missouri) of 21 ex-spouse caregivers. The study found that most assumed the role for the sake of their children. They wanted to spare a child from the burden of caregiving and also recognized that an ex-spouse, in most instances, remained an important figure in their children’s life.

An Ex-Husband Moves Back In—for Cancer Care
The Wall Street Journal, Aug 19