Divorce can significantly impact a child's mental health, often resulting in long-term consequences. Studies indicate that children of divorced parents are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (Cherlin & Fomby, 2019).
Generally, research shows that children of divorce are more likely to have socio-emotional, academic, and mental health concerns, such as anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, behavioral issues, challenges in making and keeping friends, and trouble at school.
Trust issues
The trust within a relationship is a major factor for children of divorce in their own relationships. The research showed that adult children of divorce tended to have a less positive attitude toward marriage and a lower commitment to maintaining romantic ties, which causes a lack of trust to build.
Children whose parents got divorced are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, or other types of mental disorders. Kids face many challenges while growing up, and their parents' divorce only adds extra tension in most cases. Increased chance of developing behavioral problems.
Children often believe they have caused the conflict between their parents. Many children assume the responsibility for bringing their parents back together, causing them additional stress. Vulnerability to both physical and mental illnesses can originate in the traumatic loss of one or both parents through divorce.
The sense of vulnerability and not being in control of significant life changes, as well as losing a parent even if partially, could lead a child to become overwhelmed to the point of not being able to cope. “Divorce can cause trauma because it can make the child feel a deep sense of loss as well as grief.
Psychologists say the potential of an emotional trauma like divorce affects kids of every age, but it is more impactful when the child is between 3 to 15 years old. “Once a child goes through puberty there's more potential to accept and understand a parent's divorce,” says child psychologist Dr.
Children of divorce are more likely to experience poverty, educational failure, early and risky sexual activity, non-marital childbirth, earlier marriage, cohabitation, marital discord and divorce. In fact, emotional problems associated with divorce actually increase during young adulthood.
In many instances, divorce can have a positive impact on children. It frees them from the chronic stress that comes from living with parents in a volatile, disrespectful, or loveless relationship.
The divorce process is stressful and confusing for preschoolers and school-age children. Their parents' interactions and the contact they have with each parent greatly influence their reactions. Even so, children eventually adapt to the new reality following divorce.
Babies and teens may be able to weather a divorce, but elementary school children need special care when the family breaks down. The worst age for divorce for children is essentially any age before adulthood. However, sometimes relationships become so broken that, child or not, there's no choice but to call it quits.
Divorce reduces living standards. Divorce changes personal relationships. Divorce may strain your relationship with your church or synagogue. Divorce hurts children.
According to a new study, one key factor influences how well or how badly children respond to the trauma of divorce: self-esteem. For every level of trauma children of divorce report, children with low self-esteem are likely to exhibit poorer 'adjustment' (coping) in the rest of their lives.
While a divorce will be difficult for the children, the changes that children experience aren't all negative. For example, children who are no longer exposed to constant arguing, verbal or physical abuse, or unstable communication between their parents will be relieved and greatly benefited in their future.
The Impact of Divorce on Mental Health
According to the American Psychological Association, divorce can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. It can also lead to decreased self-esteem and increased feelings of insecurity. This is particularly true for children who experience divorce.
Divorce can bring several types of emotions to the forefront for a family, and the children involved are no different. Feelings of loss, anger, confusion, anxiety, and many others, all may come from this transition. Divorce can leave children feeling overwhelmed and emotionally sensitive.
On average, children aged 6-10yrs old are least affected by divorces; however, children aged 1-2yrs old's seem to be the most affected. Every marriage goes through its good times and bad times; however, when children become involved in the equation, the stakes become even higher.
The short-term answer is usually yes. Children thrive in predictable, secure families with two parents who love them and love each other. Separation is unsettling, stressful, and destabilizing unless there is parental abuse or conflict.
Explain what divorce means:
“Mommy and Daddy do not get along anymore. We have decided to live in different houses. Mommy and Daddy still love you very much and we will take very good care of you.” Do not discuss each other's faults or provide detailed (adult) reasons for the divorce.
A 2002 study found that two-thirds of unhappy adults who stayed together were happy five years later. They also found that those who divorced were no happier, on average, than those who stayed together. In other words, most people who are unhappily married—or cohabiting—end up happy if they stick at it.
Many people consider the separation phase to be the most difficult. This is the time between when you decide to get divorced and the date you actually get divorced. This period often presents the most uncertainties about child support, visitation, alimony, division of assets, and more.
Researchers have estimated that the period of adjustment for families can range anywhere from one to three years, and sometimes even as long as five, depending on the circumstances surrounding the divorce. It is important for parents to realize children will have different types of reactions.
But what surprised us was that parental separation or divorce was also a common event associated with posttraumatic stress. We found that 29%of boys and 39% of girls who reported that their parents had separated or divorced had high levels of posttraumatic stress.