This review of international literature assesses the impacts that the relationship breakdown of parents has on children and factors that can provide support should this occur. The parental separation process causes significant albeit short-term distress for most children, with a minority reporting longer-term outcomes such as socio-economic…

A sample of 73 divorced single parents were asked to rate the severity of a variety of child-centered problems. The problems of greatest concern involved discipline, behavior problems resulting from the separation and following the ex-spouse's visit, and the lack of an available male model. (Author)

Data on the relation between marital turmoil (i.e., discord and divorce) and behavior problems in children are reviewed. Several parameters of this relation are outlined, including type of marital turmoil, form of the child's behavioral response, sex differences, age effects, parental buffering, and effects of parental psychopathology. (Author/MP)

Evaluated the psychometric characteristics of the Children's Beliefs about Parental Divorce Scale with three nonclinic samples. Demonstrated six subscales: Peer Ridicule and Avoidance, Paternal Blame, Fear of Abandonment, Maternal Blame, Hope of Reunification, and Self-Blame. The number of problematic beliefs varied by family structure but not by…

Examined within-family differences in parenting and problem behavior in 95 nondivorced and 421 remarried families. Within-family differences in parenting and problem behavior were greatest in remarried families where siblings did not share the same biological parent. Differential treatment was also more strongly related to problem behavior in this…

Reviews available research studies of high-conflict divorce and its effects on children. Factors believed to contribute to high-conflict divorce are explored, and a model of their interrelationships is proposed. Dispute resolution, intervention, and prevention programs are discussed, and implications for social policy are outlined. (SLD)

Preventive educational programs are potentially useful in reducing the effects of divorce on children and families. Parenting After Divorce is an ongoing study designed to evaluate preventive programs. Divorcing families with children aged 7-12 are identified from court records and contacted to participate. Families are randomly assigned to one of…

Although the literature strongly suggests that children of divorced families suffer emotional disturbance and conduct disorders for at least a limited time, the treatment alternatives have not been widely discussed in the research literature. In clinical practice, individual or family therapies are most often considered, along with occasional…

Cherlin argues that Gill's procedural criticisms of Cherlin's work are groundless, and underlying themes of both of Gill's articles do not guide public policy concerning children and families. Gill's response to Cherlin notes that anecdotal evidence shows that increased availability and social acceptability of divorce cause more marital problems.…

The increasing divorce rate, along with other circumstances resulting in one-parent families, makes the study of the effects of living in a one-parent situation for children of crucial importance. Children of divorced parents have been characterized as having lower I.Q. scores, more behavior problems, and academic handicaps than children from…

Conducted a group experience for fourth and fifth grade children (N=17) whose parents had been divorced 2 months to 2 years previously and who were recommended by teachers or parents for divorce adjustment concerns. Results showed parents rated children less distractible and as having fewer problem behaviors; teachers ratings did not change with…

Explains problems with child visiting in cases of domestic abuse. Data on domestic abuse, child care concerns, and child adjustment problems were collected from 25 mothers and 22 fathers at a child visiting program serving separated and abusive families. Psychological abuse of mothers correlated with child adjustment problems. (BB)

Discusses the emotional trauma children experience at home and in school when their parents divorce. Also considers the actual and potential role of the school in providing support to these youngsters. (Author/LD)

Summarizes research on single-parent households and families whose mothers have remarried. This research concentrates on the effect of marital transitions on family functioning and children's adjustment. Introduces a longitudinal study that examined transformations in marital, parent-child, and sibling relationships following the remarriage of a…

Whether specific classroom coping styles of elementary school children from divorced families differ in comparison with their peers from intact homes was studied, along with the relationship between teachers' observations of children's specific coping styles and parental reports of children's behavior problems. The divorced-family group consisted…