Divorce has major repercussion on the children involved. According to an estimate the children of divorced parents, divorce four times more than the children of intact families. As a parent you must be concerned about the effects of divorce on your children.
A child who witnesses divorce, can experience psychological adjustment, self-esteem and social and behavioral problems.
Psychological Effects of Divorce on Children
Divorce means a lot of stress for the parties involved. In a divorce all, especially the children, are prone to anxiety, anger, sadness, insomnia and aggression. Your child can suffer from one or all of these effects of divorce. Usually most of the children cope-up with these situations quick enough. But in some cases, children may face long lasting psychological effects of divorce:
A child’s psychological adaptability to his new situation depends upon a variety of things which include:
- Custodial parent’s involvement in the child’s life and welfare
- Non-custodial parent’s role in the child’s life
- Pre-divorce, during divorce and post-divorce conflicts between parents
- Financial situation after and before divorce
- Schools
Therapeutic intervention is not required by all of the children who witness a divorce or separation. But incase your child has witnessed aggression (physical or verbal), during or before divorce proceedings, s/he may be suffering from emotional distress. Counseling will help him/her deal with adjustment problems (both emotional and behavioral).
Psychological Effects of Divorce on Children - Parent’s Role
You can minimize the psychological effects of divorce on your children by providing them with emotional and monetary security. Your aim should be to furnish your kids with as much of development and growth opportunities as you can.
Following are some suggested counter measures against the adverse psychological effects of divorce:
- Avoid conflict. If you can not, make sure your children are not witnessing it. Do not unnecessarily include them in divorce issues.
- Never underplay the role of other parent. Children love both of the parents and hearing allegations regarding someone they love can prove to be stressful.
- It will be cruel of you to put your child in a situation where you ask him/her to choose you or your spouse.
- Try to help your child with adapting in case s/he has to shift to a new school and home. Take interest and encourage your child to tell you his/her problems and fears.
- A divorce or separation might bring a change in the behavioral pattern of your child. Divorce can lead to misbehavior in children. Be patient and loving. Preschoolers are too young to understand divorce and thus blame themselves for their parents’ divorce. Older children can become sad, angry or insecure.
- Be open to discussion. Listen to what your children have to say. Their feelings should be acknowledged.
If you take the above-mentioned measures, you can save your child from the psychological effects of divorce.
