Psy 311: Family Costs of Divorce 1) NEGATIVES: l (Societal stigma) l Loss of a parent or parenting unit

Psy 311: Family Costs of Divorce 1) NEGATIVES: l Host of potential problems –Family conflict –Stressed out parents –Fewer parenting resources –Change, disruption, confusion –Loss of confidence in relationships

Psy 311: Family Consequences of Divorce Ü Short-term: Very hard on children –School, acting out at home, peers –Peaks at one year –Boys may be more affected than girls

Psy 311: Family Consequences of Divorce 1) NEGATIVES: Ü Long-term: Much recovery; effects smaller but still there. –Lower school achievement –More psychological problems Boys: externalizing Girls: internalizing –May be permanent –Girls more affected by remarriage

Psy 311: Family Consequences of Divorce (cont) 2) POSITIVES: l End to parental conflict l Can promote independence

Psy 311: Family How does divorce affect children? l It depends l Many factors influence how a child adapts to divorce.

Psy 311: Family Influencing Factors l 1. Adequate financial support l 2. Adequate parenting by custodial parent –Warm, consistent, respectful l 3. Emotional support from the non- custodial parent –Affectionate contact with both parents –Protected from any parental conflict

Psy 311: Family Influencing Factors (cont.) l 4. Additional social support –Children: friends, support-groups –Parents: friends, family l 5. Minimum additional stressors –Moving, changing schools, losing contact with grandparents, etc.

Psy 311: Family Most Important Factor l Quality of relationship with the non- custodial parent. l Why?

Psy 311: Family Film Clip: Divorce & Children’s Development

Psy 311: Family FAMILY VIOLENCE l 1. Child abuse –Verbal abuse –Physical abuse –Sexual abuse –Neglect l 2. Spouse abuse l 3. Elder abuse

Psy 311: Family Consequences of Family Violence l 1. Things you get that damage you Ü Physiology- stress reactive Ü View of self Ü Aggression and violence

Psy 311: Family Consequences of Family Violence (cont.) l 2. Things that you don’t get that damage you Ü Lack of cognitive stimulation Ü Attachment disturbance Ü Self-regulation (self control) problems

Psy 311: Family Consequences of Family Violence (cont.) Long Term Risk for: l Emotional problems (e.g., depression) l Difficulty relating to others (e.g., peers) l Poor social skills l Impaired cognitive development l Poor school performance

Psy 311: Family WHY DOES ABUSE HAPPEN? A vulnerable individual faces overwhelming stress with insufficient resources

Psy 311: Family WHAT MAKES A PERSON VULNERABLE? The complex interaction of personal and social variables

Psy 311: Family WHO PHYSICALLY ABUSES CHILDREN? l 1. “Normal” people –Young, single mother, with multiple young children l 2. High stress –Poverty (80% of cases) –Dangerous environment –Unwanted or difficult children

Psy 311: Family WHO PHYSICALLY ABUSES CHILDREN (cont.)? l 3. Low resources –High strung temperament –No partner –Violent relationships –Little social support

Psy 311: Family WHO PHYSICALLY ABUSES CHILDREN (cont.)? l 4. Low skills –Immature –Little knowledge about children or development –Few techniques for discipline –No role models

Psy 311: Family INTERVENTIONS l 1. Target individuals and personal traits l 2. Areas –Social skills –Parenting skills –Child development education –Counseling l 3. Reduce stigma of seeking help –Parents Anonymous

Psy 311: Family INTERVENTIONS What about social and political factors?

Psy 311: Family INTERVENTIONS l 1. Prevention of unintended pregnancies l 2. Prevention of poverty l 3. Education l 4. Job availability l 5. Community resources

Psy 311: Family HOW TO BE A GREAT PARENT Step Two: Get support from society l 1. Collective responsibility – Children as a value of society – Child-rearing as a valued activity

Psy 311: Family HOW TO BE A GREAT PARENT Step Two: Get support from society l 2. Financial support – Single wage-earner makes enough to support family – Two half-time jobs make enough to support family

Psy 311: Family HOW TO BE A GREAT PARENT Step Two: Get support from society l 3. Job flexibility – Part-time or flex-time jobs – Maternity and paternity leave – Child sick leave

Psy 311: Family HOW TO BE A GREAT PARENT Step Two: Get support from society l 4. Child care support – Education on child-rearing – Quality affordable child care – Community centers – Crisis interventions

Psy 311: Family LAST NAME, first name l 1. Name 3 factors that influence children’s adjustment to divorce. l 2. What is the most important factor? l 3. What are the long-term effects of abuse for children? l 4. Name 3 factors that increase the risk of abuse.

Psy 311: Family END

Psy 311: Family LAST NAME, first name l 1. What are the short-term effects of divorce for children? l 2. What are the long-term effects of divorce for children? l 3. Name 3 factors that influence children’s adjustment to divorce. l 4. What is the most important factor?