Page 47 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 47
The effect of parental divorce
on the psychosocial health of children
Klavdija Gorjup
Centre for social service Celje, unit Laško, Kidričeva ulica 2a, 3270 Laško, Slovenia
Abstract
Problem presentation: Divorce is a life-changing event for a family and
its members. Already adults have problems coping with it, let alone
kids. Emotions of the adults often overshadow the needs of the children
and their needs remain overlooked. That is why it is important to speak
up about kids who have experienced divorce of their parents. Purpose:
At work, we often see that divorce and its consequences affect a child’s
psychosocial and physical health. The most obvious change after divorce
is moving. The financial situation also changes, as does the children’s life
style. Often hidden, but important, is the change in children’s emotions
and emotional behaviour. Divorce can have a negative effect on their
sense of (emotional) safety; they start living in ‘two-homes’ and their
parents often cannot communicate any more. The children have to
cope with different intense emotions – shame, anger, guilt, mistrust,
separation… In such situations, the children need parents who know
how to create an environment that allows the children to express their
feelings and know how to accept them. For this to happen, the parents
need to be sensible and responsive to their children’s emotions and
needs. The contribution presents ways of relief for children during the
process of divorce. Findings: Despite divorce, both parents still have
their parenting rights and they are still both parents. They are divorcing
each other as partners, but not as parents. It is up to them how they will
organize new family life for their children.
Key words: divorce, children, children`s needs, psychosocial health, relief
for children
Introduction
Divorce is not a single event but a multi-phased process, which radically chang-
es family relationships. It is often an indicator of other problems in these fam-
on the psychosocial health of children
Klavdija Gorjup
Centre for social service Celje, unit Laško, Kidričeva ulica 2a, 3270 Laško, Slovenia
Abstract
Problem presentation: Divorce is a life-changing event for a family and
its members. Already adults have problems coping with it, let alone
kids. Emotions of the adults often overshadow the needs of the children
and their needs remain overlooked. That is why it is important to speak
up about kids who have experienced divorce of their parents. Purpose:
At work, we often see that divorce and its consequences affect a child’s
psychosocial and physical health. The most obvious change after divorce
is moving. The financial situation also changes, as does the children’s life
style. Often hidden, but important, is the change in children’s emotions
and emotional behaviour. Divorce can have a negative effect on their
sense of (emotional) safety; they start living in ‘two-homes’ and their
parents often cannot communicate any more. The children have to
cope with different intense emotions – shame, anger, guilt, mistrust,
separation… In such situations, the children need parents who know
how to create an environment that allows the children to express their
feelings and know how to accept them. For this to happen, the parents
need to be sensible and responsive to their children’s emotions and
needs. The contribution presents ways of relief for children during the
process of divorce. Findings: Despite divorce, both parents still have
their parenting rights and they are still both parents. They are divorcing
each other as partners, but not as parents. It is up to them how they will
organize new family life for their children.
Key words: divorce, children, children`s needs, psychosocial health, relief
for children
Introduction
Divorce is not a single event but a multi-phased process, which radically chang-
es family relationships. It is often an indicator of other problems in these fam-
