Revealing the Emotional and Psychological Effects of Divorce
Divorce is more common in the United States than in any other country in the world. Roughly 50% of all marriages end in divorce, and an even higher percentage (67%) of all second marriages terminate.
Divorce is never the intended outcome of any marriage. Yet, with these rates, it’s safe to say you’ve either been divorced or know someone who has. Clinically speaking, divorce is positively correlated with an increase in depression. Losing a partner and a shared vision or plan for the future is extremely disheartening. Couple this with the financial implications, the psychological and emotional toll can be extreme.
Quick Facts for Women
- In general, women initiate divorce twice as often as men.
- Of the US population living below the poverty line, 60% are divorced women and children.
- Approximately 65% of divorced mothers do not receive child support, but curiously enough, post-divorce women experience less stress on average than men.
- Clinicians posit that women’s stress levels are not as elevated as men’s after the divorce because the divorce itself has provided relief.
- Many women spend a considerable amount of time in an unhappy state before the divorce, so separation is a welcomed outcome. Second, women tap into support networks better than men, and this can lead to an uptick in their self-esteem.
Quick Facts for Men
- Men put on a tough exterior, but a divorce yields greater emotional adjustment problems compared to women.
- The principal reasons behind this are reduced finances, the loss of intimacy, an interruption of the parental role, and the loss of a social connection.
- A handful of these results are likely the reason men remarry more quickly than women.
- Men, in general, are seeking a road back to stability that can be quite stressful if not achieved in a reasonable time frame. As such, depressive states are normal and can last for extended periods of time.
Quick Facts for Children
- It has been assumed for some time that the effects of divorce on children are universally negative.
- However, more recent research suggests this was exaggerated, and the real negative effect is conflict rather than the actual divorce.
- Those children who succeed and thrive post-divorce are those with separated parents who can communicate effectively and not quarrel or involve their children in personal struggles.
- When psychological and emotional effects do manifest themselves, boys and girls tend to behave differently.
- Boys will generally act out in school, fight with peers, and display external-facing behavior.
- Girls, on the other hand, tend to be more internal, with noted changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
Categories
Abuse
Custody
Divorce
Domestic Violance
Family Law
Orders Of Protection
