Research has shown children who have experienced divorce in the previous 20 years were more likely to participate in crimes, rebelling through destructive behavior which harms a child's health, with more children reporting they have acquired smoking habits, or prescription drug use.
The process of divorce and its effects on children can be a stressful. Dealing with these issues can take its toll, including physical problems. Children who have experienced divorce have a higher perceptibility to sickness, which can stem from many factors, including their difficulty going to sleep. Also, signs of depression can appear, exacerbating these feelings of loss of well-being, and deteriorating health signs.
Finally, despite hoping to have stable relationships themselves when they grow up, research has also shown children who have experienced divorce are more likely to divorce when in their own relationships.
Some research indicates this propensity to divorce may be two to three times as high as children who come from non-divorced families. Yet, while these are some of the possible effects of divorce on children, they are by no means absolutes, or written in stone.
More and more, families understand just how stressful divorce is for their children, as well as their selves. Families have begun to turn to supportive services such as at FamilyMeans, seeking help to find a peaceful way to divorce. Through our Collaborative Divorce program, we are helping families more successfully navigate this transition, both for the sake of the parents, and for the children involved.
To learn how we can help you through your divorce, contact FamilyMeans today for more information. Employee Services Employers. Hours Locations. Counseling means hope. What Are the Effects of Divorce on Children? With this in mind, here are some of the most commonly seen effects divorce has on children FamilyMeans can help parents manage: Poor Performance in Academics Divorce is difficult for all members of the family. Loss of Interest in Social Activity Research has suggested divorce can affect children socially, as well.
Therefore, it's helpful to maintain normal daily routines, particularly regarding sleep and meals, during and after the divorce. Provide your child with his favorite toys or security items, and spend extra time holding him and offering physical comfort.
Rely on the help of friends and family, and be sure to get plenty of rest so you'll be alert when your baby is awake. During the toddler years, a child's main bond is with her parents, so any major disruption in her home life can be difficult for her to accept and comprehend. What's more, kids this age are self-centered and may think they've caused their parents' breakup. They may cry and want more attention than usual, regress and return to thumb sucking, resist toilet training, have a fear of being abandoned, or have trouble going to sleep or sleeping alone at night.
How to ease the transition : If possible, parents should work together to develop normal, predictable routines that their child can easily follow. It's also important to spend quality time with your child and offer extra attention, and ask trusted friends and relatives to do the same.
Discuss your child's feelings if she's old enough to talk , read books together, and assure her that she's not responsible for the breakup. Preschoolers don't understand the whole notion of divorce and don't want their parents to separate -- no matter how tense the home environment.
In fact, divorce is a particularly hard concept for these little "control freaks" to comprehend, because they feel as if they have no power to control the outcome. Like toddlers, preschoolers believe they are ultimately responsible for their parents' separation. They may experience uncertain feelings about the future, keep their anger trapped inside, have unpleasant thoughts or ideas, or be plagued by nightmares.
How to ease the transition : Parents should try to handle the divorce in an open, positive manner if possible, as a child this age will reflect his parents' moods and attitudes. Preschoolers will need someone to talk to and a way to express their feelings. They may respond well to age-appropriate books about the topic.
Kids this age also need to feel safe and secure and to know they will continue seeing their noncustodial parent the one with whom they don't live on a regular basis. Set up a regular visitation schedule, and make sure it's adhered to consistently. For toddlers and preschoolers : because they are so young, children do not understand the need to be permanently separated from one parent. The concept of two houses can fill children with worry and fear. They feel anxious when they are not able to be with both their parents and can quiet often feel that they are not loved by the absent parent.
For children of primary school age : A divorce process can cause them stress and anxiety and often makes them feel guilty about the changes it brings. Children of this age group often think of guilt and may feel that the divorce is due to their mistakes or shortcomings. Research shows that children are often the most affected by contentious divorces, which can be reflected in increased behavioral problems, poor academic performance and also in children's mental health.
Children need to adapt to the new changes, and one of the best ways is to keep up with a regular visit schedule and provide them with easy access to both parents that suits their needs. A regular schedule helps to bring a needs-oriented structure into their lives, and children might understand that both parents regularly prioritize their needs. Parental support and reassurance can avoid many of the likely challenges, especially if parents can put their children's needs before anything else.
Parents should also consider seeking expert help, which can include medical and psychological support in helping their children. Solving anxiety problems through professional help has proven to be of great value to children. An expert is often able to identify the cause of a problem rather than focus on the behavioral issues alone, and can help the parents to understand better and guide them in helping their children cope with such challenges.
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