The Long-Term Effects of Divorce on Children

By Leslie Fineberg on July 9, 2013

According to The Huffington Post, a new study was recently published online about the effects of divorce on children. It will also appear in the September 2013 issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

A total of 7,735 people were surveyed about themselves and their relationships, and more than a third of the participants grew up with divorced parents.

The results of the study suggest that a child’s relationship with his or her parents is impacted in a negative way if the parents divorce when the child is at a very young age. Later in life, the child will generally feel more distant from his or her parents and have a difficult time establishing close relationships with them. More specifically, those who experience the divorce of their parents between birth and three to five years old will have more trouble connecting with their parents than those whose parents divorce when they are at a later age.

“A person who has a secure relationship with a parent is more likely than someone who is insecure to feel that they can trust the parent,” said R. Chris Fraley, a co-author of the study based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The divorce process is hard for everyone involved, especially children. Children may feel that they are at fault or that they are being abandoned. This may inform their mentality and their beliefs later on in life. To avoid a negative impact on your children when it comes to divorce, it is vital to consult an experienced Illinois divorce lawyer who can assist your whole family throughout the process. To learn more about what Nottage and Ward can do for you, call us at (312) 332-2915.