Separating Parents Flashcards
What’s the rate and trend of divorce in Canada?
Currently 41%, up from 36%
What are some of the emotions kids experience with a divorce?
Sadness Confusion Anger Fear of abandonment Guilt Grief Conflict related to loyalty and misconception
Nearly all children experience confusion regarding what will happen to them
So children have serious adverse outcomes secondary to divorce?
No.
Children experience distressing thoughts and emotion but the majority have no lasting negative outcomes
There are some mild negative outcomes, such as lower measures of academic achievements, conduct, psychological adjustment, self concept and social relations. (Evidence based)
What are the long term impact I children whose parents are divorced?
Increased poverty Educational failures Risky sexual behaviour Unplanned pregnancy Earlier marriage or cohabitation Marital discord and divorce
What are some risk factors for adverse outcomes for children who’s parents are divorcing?
Which is the worst?
The quality of parenting
The quality of parent-child interactions
The degree, frequency, intensity and duration of hostile conflict *** especially toxic to kids
What can we advise parents to improve the outcomes?
Learning to manage conflict
Learning to parent effectively
Learning to nurture warm and loving relationships with their children
What are some features of effective parenting?
Warm and nurturing
Effective discipline (developmentally appropriate expectations)
Limit setting
If there is parental conflict, what are some solutions you can offer parents?
Developing a respectful business-like relationship Mediation Developing a parenting plan Group support Litigation
What are some physical symptoms kids may have with divorces?
Change in sleep
Change in appetite
decrease general health
What’s better for kids: joint custody or sole custody?
Joint custody
When does attachment start to develop and how?
Attachment develops at a cognitive age of 7-9 months as a caregiver responds the the child’s needs in a sensitive and consistent way.
What situations lead to poor attachment and what are some of the consequences of poor attachment?
Inadequate time with primary caregiver
Unpredictable care
Consequences: threatens individuals ability to make future attachment, separation anxiety, and poor ability to self regulate. Future attachment may be insecure or poorly organised.
How do children 4-5 typical react to separation?
Increasingly clingy
Separation anxiety
externalising behaviour
Excessive fear of abandonment
What do children who are school aged typically struggle with?
They are becoming masters of cognitive, physical and social challenges. They are prone to loyalty conflicts and may take sides. They are trying to learn right from wrong and may apply this to the divorce.
