Divorce By: Ashley, Tiffany, Carly, Caitlin, Bethany Psychological Problems Some of the differences in psychological well-being can

n be attributed to the financial disadvantages experienced by children of divorce in comparison to their peers from married families. Children of divorce display higher levels of depression and anxiety, anger, aggression, noncompliance, sleep disturbance, lower self-esteem, and more frequent use of psychological services. Environment Most children of divorce live primarily with their mothers and hence live with a lower family income. They move more often to new residences and to poorer neighborhoods. These children thus experience yet another form of loss, experience the higher levels of depression correlated with difficult economic conditions, and have lower academic achievement, including a lower rate of college attendance. Relationships Research shows that children of divorce tend to be closer to their mothers. Father may be absent in these childrens lives or the custody agreement may cause the father to have irregular contact. Children of divorce are more likely to experience marital instability and a slight elevation in their own divorce rates. Reasons for this include a sense of conditionality about relationships, wariness to commit, and the perception of divorce as an alternative more readily than children from intact families. Distress Versus Disorder They found that children of divorce are not more anxious or depressed than other children on measures of psychological disorder, but they reported more distressing feelings about their parents' divorces. Most common among them were paternal blame, feelings of loss, and a belief that their lives had been forever impacted by the divorce. They tended to view their personal worlds through the lens of this powerful event, believing that they would have been different people had their parents stayed together. Adjustment patterns There are five different transitioning patterns that can be witnessed during the first six years of a child of divorce. Competent-Opportunist Competent-Caring Competent-At-A-Cost Good Enough Aggressive-Insecure Continuing Conflict between Parents Twenty to twenty-five percent of divorced couples continue the conflict post-divorce. Frequently they carry on their non-ending war in front of the children and undercut each other. The child may be used to express a parent's anger, to carry negative messages between the parents, or are encouraged to think poorly of or not have a relationship with the other parent. Economic Decline The poverty rate for children of divorce is twice the rate for all children in the US.

After divorce income drops on average 20%. 39% of divorced women live in poverty. The decline in standard of living also means deprivation, and may have effects on the emotional stability and availability of parents, as well as on their parenting effectiveness. Emotional and Behavioral Effects Stress from process of divorce and after effects May have difficulty adjusting to school Teachers have significant role Age and gender factor into changes Internalizing and externalizing problems Interpersonal difficulties Poor physical health Substance use Conduct/Behavior Among all the reactions of children of divorce, conduct disorders, antisocial behaviors, and difficulty with authorities produce the largest negative effects. They are two to three times more likely to engage in adolescent delinquent behavior than their peers from intact families, with a higher incidence of conduct problems in boys than in girls. Research in South Africa 120 primary age students 40 of non-intact families (divorced) 80 of intact families Ages 6-12; grouped 6-9, 10-12 Teachers rated students on levels of temperament, defiance, sensitivity to criticism, and mood swings Gender Boys found to be less compliant than girls (of non-intact) Often leads to conflict with mother Girls appear more sensitive to criticism Girls tend to have fewer mood changes than boys and counterparts of non-divorced families Girls less likely to isolate themselves than boys Divorce

Divorce is associated with diminished parenting, including decreased levels of warmth and responsiveness, less effective communication, and the use of harsh or coercive discipline (Sigal, Wolchik, Tein & Sandler, 2012, pg. 151). However, Numerous studies have found support for an association between quality of parenting and youths educational and occupational goals, aspirations, and engagement (Sigal, Wolchik, Tein, & Sandler, 2012, pg. 151).