7 Negative Effects of Divorce on Children

Discussing 7 negative effects of divorce on children  is reminding ourselves of some of the very dangerous effects which divorce can place on every party involved in a marriage. As long as divorce is concerned, everyone is a victim including the children, who are most times younger folks.

Sometimes, parents might not know the after-effects of divorce on their child’s development. It is essential for couples to introspect and discuss the potential effects of divorce on the long-term mental and physical health of their children.

In this article, we shall acquaint you with the challenges children might face when their parents decide to get divorced. We also suggest some ways to mitigate these negative effects and help children cope with the situation:

• Stress

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, many children falsely consider themselves the reason behind their parents’ divorce and assume the responsibility to mend the relationship. This can lead to immense stress and pressure on the young mind, which can have several repercussions like negative thoughts and nightmares.

• Emotional Sensitivity

Divorce can lead to a myriad of emotions in children. They may suffer from mixed feelings of anger, anxiety, and sadness, leaving them overwhelmed and emotionally sensitive. They often face the urge to vent their emotions by talking or communicating with someone to channel the process of divorce

• Anxiety

It is one of the most common emotional effects of parental divorce on children. Separating from a loved one results in feelings of nervousness or anxiety. They might develop a fear of abandonment or an apprehension that something ominous might happen to a family member due to separation.

It is among children that often leads to a fear of getting abducted or being left alone. Some of the symptoms of separation anxiety that children may experience are headache, dizziness, stomach aches, diarrhea, and nausea. An anxious child will find it difficult to concentrate on his studies and may lose interest in activities that he once found enticing.

• Trouble With Relationships

When children grow up seeing a marriage fail, they develop doubts about love and harmony in a relationship. They may have trust and attachment issues and find it challenging to resolve conflicts in any interpersonal relationships. Such children, as adults, will start any relationship with a negative mindset. Parental alienation can also make social adjustment difficult for the child.

• Mood Swings and Irritability

Young children may suffer from mood swings and become irritable even when interacting with familiar people. Some children will go into a withdrawal mode, where they stop talking to anyone and shut themselves away. The child will become quiet and prefer spending time alone.

• Prone to Substance Abuse (Addiction)

Drugs and alcohol become the avenues for adolescents to vent out their frustration and anxiety. Research has shown a higher incidence of substance abuse in teens whose parents are divorced. Of course, there are other factors like the care provided by the single parent, which determine the adolescent’s tendency to have drugs.

However, the probability of an adolescent succumbing to the temptation is considerably high. Long-term substance abuse has damaging effects on the well-being of the child.

• Disillusion and Distress

Children of divorce may feel hopeless and disillusioned because they do not have the comprehensive emotional support from their parents. This situation can worsen if the child is raised in a single-parent household with no access to the other parent. Short-term effects of divorce can hamper a child’s psychological and physiological growth, which can have a long-term impact.