Revista de genómica clínica y médica

The Impact of Parental Separation and Divorce on the Health Status of Children, and the Ways to Improve it

Abstract

Motti Haimi and Aaron Lerner

The divorce rate rose steadily in recent years, becoming a significant social problem. Many studies showed that the divorce has negative impact on children, but there are many different interpretations of the consequences of this situation on children’s lives.

There is no doubt that children are being affected by the sudden change in their familial environment as well as by additional influences that accompany the divorce process. It is well recognized that the divorce process affects the mental state of the children, including development of behavioral problems, negative self-concept, social problems, and difficulties in relationships with the parents. Among these children there is a higher frequency of depression, violence, learning and social deterioration, and high risk for suicidal attempts. Research in recent years had shown that the divorce process apparently affects also the state of physical illness in children.

Based on clinical and empirical studies in recent years, for most children, the traditional visiting arrangements are out of date, unnecessarily restrictive, and do not meet the interests of the children themselves. There are many advantages for children in separation and divorce situations when the children’s living arrangements allow the caring fathers to be actively involved in the life of their children, when there are broad visiting arrangements or even shared custody arrangements.

In these situations, there is a significant reduction in the negative aspects of the divorce process and there is an objectively beneficial effect on children’s adjustment, which is also reflected from the experience of the children themselves.

We describe the situation in Israel and recommend the appropriate management in these cases according to our experience and recently studies.