The Psychological Effects Of Child Divorce

Marriage is when a man and a woman become one. It is an institution under which a man and a woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious and social ceremonies and most importantly marriage is a union that offers the ability to bare children and raise them under an organized and stable union. Marriage is the foundation of a family, a protection and extension of the self. It is no wonder that when a marriage comes to an end, the effects are abounding. Divorce is a painful experience for the two people who have made a commitment to love one another through sickness and in health, for better and for worse, until death do you apart. But the effects of divorce are deeper than a lack of commitment for

Mental health conditions developed as a result of divorce include: addictive disorders, learning disorders, personality disorders, and intellectual disabilities (Cuellar). Separation Anxiety Disorder is one of the most prevailing conditions diagnosed in the face of a divorce. The Mental Health Guide defines Separation Anxiety Disorder as, “a condition that causes a child or adolescent extreme distress when he or she is separated from her parents or caregivers”. It is common for children to experience anxiety on occasion and most children have moments of such panic but it does not last for long. Additionally, “because feelings of shame, decrease in self-esteem, self-blame, anxiety and fear may be prevalent for the child of divorce, children from divorced homes often perform academically worse than peers” (Finley). It is not rare for a child to have difficulty focusing on schoolwork due to stress and anxiety. Anxiety can take a toll on the overall well-being and can also cause sleep disruption and a lack of concentration in school. The methods of group therapy have also been known to be a good form of treatment. Group therapy challenges to “communicate with children on issues of importance, providing support, enhancing their skill development, and promoting their mental health” (Rose). Every family and individual will benefit differently from the methods of therapy but it is something to be considered and embarked on due to poor mental and emotional state a child finds themself during and after the