Surveys showed that parental separation or divorce causes a lot of adjustment problems for children and adolescents. It includes issues like depression, anxiety, academic difficulties, disruptive behaviors, etc. The adverse effects of divorce can stay with the child till their adulthood. Experiencing parental divorce in childhood is prone to worse mental health when they grow up in their 20s and 30s. Consult an experienced Salt Lake City divorce attorney to seek guidance on the effects of divorce on your child.

How does a divorce affect children mentally

Researchers showed the adverse effects of divorce on the children are not due to their parents’ separation but the consequence of the decreased social support. Social support is having friends, family, and other people on your side who will help you in times of need and give you a broader focus and positive self-image.

The good news is divorcing parents can help reduce the psychological effects on their children during divorce. A few supportive parenting strategies can help kids adjust to the changes that occurred due to divorce.

The first year is the toughest.

Researchers have discovered that kids struggle the most in the first year or the next after the divorce. They mainly experience anger, disbelief, distress, and anxiety. Many kids cope with the situation and bounce back. They get used to changes to the daily routine and grow comfortably in any environment. But some children cannot go back to their normal stage–even after a lifelong time–after their parents’ divorce.

Regardless of gender, age, or culture, the children of divorced couples experience increased psychological problems. They may experience conduct disorders, impulsive behavior, delinquency, and conflict with peers. 

Children from divorced families can not perform well as expected academically. They would have trouble with the school if it were an unexpected divorce.

Risk-taking behaviors

Adolescent children of divorced parents are more likely to take part in risky behavior, such as substance use or early sexual activity. They may also engage in drinking alcohol at an early stage and report marijuana, drug, and tobacco usage.

The adolescent kids of divorced parents who got separated when they were five years or older are at high risk of becoming sexually active before they are 16.

Help them to adjust

People who experienced divorce during their childhood are more prone to have relationship difficulties. They have a higher tendency to divorce whose parents were divorced earlier.