Your Health: How Does Divorce Affect Children?

Story by Kat North, LPA with 3-C Family Services, P.A. in Cary. Photo by Lindsay Lennox.

Cary, NC – Whatever you may think or believe, divorce changes families. How these changes affect children in the short-term and over time is dependent upon several parent behaviors.

75% of Children Experience No Difficulties

For many years the prevailing view was most, if not all children of divorce have long lasting negative life outcomes as a result of the experience. Research results indicate otherwise. In fact, 75% of children of divorce experience no significant social, academic or psychological difficulties.

Compare this to the 10% of children from non-divorced families’ who do experience these difficulties. The total percentage of children affected negatively by their parent’s divorce was approximately 15% (Hetherington and Kelly, 2002). Research also indicated that children in families where the parents remain married, but with a high level of conflict, experience the same negative outcomes as the 15% of children from divorced families.

Parent Behavior Is Key

Several key parent behaviors have been shown to decrease the potential negative impact of divorce on children.

The first two years of a divorce/separation are usually the most difficult. Family members may experience mood swings, negative behaviors, and disruptions in their mental and physical health. Parents need to work together to provide their children with a clear, consistent, and repetitive message about ending their marriage.

Convey the Following:

The divorce has nothing to do with them; it is in no way any child’s fault.
All children will be loved, taken care of, and listened to by both parents and that their thoughts and feelings are important.
Choose a simple, honest and consistent message about why parents are divorcing

What NOT to do:

Assign blame
Share details about the marriage, and why it is ending with the child

Parents will have to get the help and the support they need with their own emotions and reactions in order not to inflict these knowingly or unknowingly onto their children.

Reactions

Children will have a variety and often changing reactions to divorce. Be prepared to listen to their honest feelings by creating a space for them to safely share these with you. Acknowledge their feelings, do not dismiss them, and do not try to “fix” them. It is ok for children to sometimes feel sad, it is a normal emotion and reaction and it does not have to be turned into a happy feeling.

Immediate Needs

Children will want to know how things will change for them. Be prepared to let them know exactly where they will live, when they will see each parent, and how other things may change. Children find comfort in consistent routines and schedules. Maintaining family rules, rewards, and consequences at both residences is critical. Spoiling and indulging the child will only result in more distress.

Ongoing Needs

Children need reassurance that they are loved and can have a relationship with both parents.

They do not need to:

See conflict between their parents
Hear disparaging comments about the other parent
Be used as a “messenger” between parents
Be used as a confidant or “friend” to a parent

When to Seek Help

If you have concerns about yourself or your child or you are seeing changes in your child’s behavior, school performance, and/or social activities seek help from a mental health professional. Support groups can be helpful by providing kids with skills and peer support to help navigate their parent’s divorce.

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The writer, Kat North, is a licensed Psychological Associate with 3-C Family Services, P.A. in Cary.