Consequences of DIVORCE CHILDREN by Ages

The children of divorced or separated parents They present, as a group, more behavioral and / or personal problems because divorce is usually an event that is experienced in a negative way. The variety of response forms and consequences of divorce is wide, in this Psychology-Online article we will focus on addressing the consequences by age ranges, since it is a variable to be taken into account because of how it affects in different ways both emotionally, academically, at work, etc.

Index

1. How does divorce affect babies?
2. How does divorce affect preschool children?
3. How does divorce affect preteens and teens?
4. Biological, psychological and social consequences of divorce in adolescent children

When talking about divorce and children are babies, normally parents tend to think that they do not suffer any kind of consequence because they believe that they do not perceive things, however, this is not the case, babies can also develop symptoms

• Irritability.
• Inconsolable crying.
• Tantrums
• Hyperactivity
• Difficulties in sleep.
• Nightmares.
• Refusal of food.
• Stomachache.

On the part of the parents, the best way to act to help and not harm their child is the following:

• Maintain as "civilized" a relationship as possible with each other and with grandparents or other family members or caregivers.
• The parent who does not live together visits regularly and gives preference to the home, taking care to maintain a calm climate during these visits.
• Give them lots of caresses, cuddles, hugs and games.

Preschool-age children are less able to assess the causes and consequences of separation as well as to cope with stressful events and use resources extrafamily. It is more likely at this age to experience feelings of self-blame or abandonment, those who experience divorce before the age of 8 may experience during adolescence anxiety, hyperactivity, disobedience, and / or challenging behaviors.

According to various studies, preschoolers initially present a profound disorder, regressive behaviors, and intense anxiety for fear of abandonment. In the case of girls, after eighteen months they seem to recover, but boys can continue the same or even worse. As time passes, the adaptation will depend on the quality with which it is carried out at the family level. Once they reach adolescence, that is, after about ten years, they usually will not remember what the breakup was like and what the family was like before the separation. In general terms, children who experience divorce in the preschool stage are the most affected in the short term but those that are best adapted in the long term.

Preteens typically feel powerless and fearful separation. They tend to side with one parent or neither and often experience anger towards the two or towards one. The academic performance tends to decline, getting to maintain the decline throughout the year of separation.

In adolescence the main consequences are: initially, acute depression and antisocial behavior, regressive behaviors (social, emotional isolation ...) and anxiety for the future. 18 months later there is usually a worsening of all those who at first seemed to have adapted to the situation, especially in the case of men. Finally, as for preschool children, five years later adaptation and acceptance will vary depending on the quality of the family.

According to various studies, the consequences occur in different areas. For adolescent sons and daughters we find the following:

Psychological consequences

Adolescent biological sons and daughters of divorced fathers and mothers have been found to show more behavior problems, low self-esteem, substance abuse and social adjustment problems than the children of undivorced parents. In the following articles you will find resources for work on self-esteem in adolescents Y prevent drug addiction in teens.

Adolescents must deal with elements of insecurity and abandonment, if not done properly, it can end up leading to problems of adjustments at a psychological level for them. The external consequences would appear in the form of general adaptation difficulty and aggressive behaviors. Internally, anxiety disorders, depression, withdrawal and somatic disorders.

Social consequences

One of the focuses of greatest attention, since it is at this stage where adolescents begin to separate from the family to get together more with their sphere of friends. This could lead to a large lack of communication with parents, lack of commitment, interest... This can lead to a loss of the bond that affects them negatively and, therefore, also to a loss of limits and a feeling of helplessness. On a social level, these adolescents are more likely to engage in higher risk behaviors or academic difficulties, could even cause the adolescent to seek support in gangs and groups criminal.

On the other hand, we also find some positive consequences: separation in adolescent children can lead the child to adopt greater sensitivity and to try more carefully to solve the problems that happen to him. The effects will also depend on how the adolescent perceives the divorce: if as a betrayal, a solution or another love opportunity.

Here you will find more information about the behavior and emotions of children of separated parents.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Consequences of divorce on children by age, we recommend that you enter our category of Emotional and behavioral disorders.

• Anonymous. (2010). How does a divorce affect the little ones?Digital magazine for teaching professionals,9. Recovered from: https://www.feandalucia.ccoo.es/docu/p5sd7340.pdf
• Cantón, J. & Cuts. M.R. & Justicia, M.D. (2002). The consequences of divorce in children. Clinical, Legal and Forensic Psychopathology (2)3, 47-66.
• Robayo, D.C. (2005) Consequences of parental divorce in adolescents: a biopsychosocial perspective. Recovered from: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/47068556.pdf