Title: The Gendered Effects of Divorce on Mothers’ and Fathers’ Time with Children and Children’s Developmental Activities: A Longitudinal Study

Publication: European Journal of Population

Authors: Tomás Cano & Pablo Gracia

Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-022-09643-2 

Summary: According to this study, there are noticeable changes in how parents and kids spend their time after parents divorce or separate. While two-parent time falls and fathers’ time with children stays low, mothers spend more time with their children. Less time is spent on instructional activities by kids, and more time is spent on unstructured activities like watching TV and playing video games. Boys experience these consequences more strongly than girls do. Mother-child time does not reach pre-separation levels for about four years. According to the study, divorce can worsen gender disparities in society and has a negative effect on how children spend their time.

Family Reunion Comment: Divorce or separation can have significant effects on both parents and children in terms of how they spend their time. It shows that the changes in time allocation can lead to increased gender inequalities, with mothers taking on more caregiving responsibilities and fathers being less involved in their children’s lives. Additionally, it highlights the negative impact on children’s daily activities, particularly in terms of reduced time spent on educational activities and increased time in unstructured activities. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the consequences of divorce or separation on family dynamics and the need for support systems that address these challenges and promote healthy parent-child relationships and balanced time use.

Title: Sibling Separation Due to Parental Divorce: Diagnostic Aspects

Publication: Environmental Research and Public Health

Authors: Aleksandra Lewandowska- Walter & Magdalena Błażek

Link:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106232  

Summary: The difficult topic of separating siblings through divorce or other marital breakdowns is covered in this article. It highlights the significance of thoroughly evaluating family dynamics, personal preferences, and projecting the long-term effects of various options. Two case studies that focus on the causes of sibling separation during and after parental disagreement are presented in the article. It presents a brand-new approach to assessing the familial circumstances of children that is based on clinical experience. The purpose of the study is to comprehend how children who have experienced family dissolution and sibling separation operate. It highlights aspects of sibling functioning that should be taken into account when experts are asked to weigh in on divorce or parental-contact disputes. Additionally, the article assesses the effectiveness of using play as a diagnostic method to understand the impact of family breakdown on children and the diagnostic process itself, which can be stressful for the child.

Family Reunion Comment: This article talks about sibling separation due to divorces and separations. The paper emphasizes the necessity of having a comprehensive framework that can assist diagnosticians and professionals who work with families going through divorce in effectively addressing the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships.

Title: The Causal Effects of Parental Divorce and Parental Temporary Separation on Children’s Cognitive Abilities and Psychological Well-being According to Parental Relationship Quality

Publication: Social Indicators Research 

Authors: Anna Garriga & Fulvia Pennoni

Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02428-2 

Summary: This study focuses on how young children’s wellbeing is affected by parental divorce and temporary separation. The impact on children’s cognitive skills and psychological characteristics at age five was investigated using data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. To evaluate the data and derive causal inferences, they employed a technique known as augmented inverse propensity treatment weighting. According to the study, children were most negatively impacted by the breakdown of strong family bonds, particularly in terms of behavior issues. Additionally, the researchers found that young children who experienced a temporary separation from their parents experienced higher behavioral and hyperactivity issues than kids from stable or divorced households.  These findings highlight the importance of targeted policies to mitigate the adverse effects of family disruption on children.

Family Reunion Comment: the quality of the parental relationship plays a significant role in shaping the outcomes for children after divorce or separation. It highlights the importance of fostering healthy and positive relationships between parents, even if they are no longer together, to minimize the negative impact on children’s well-being. Additionally, the study emphasizes the negative effects of temporary separation on young children, indicating that even temporary disruptions in the family structure can have adverse consequences. 

Title: Parental education, divorce, and children’s educational attainment: Evidence from a comparative analysis. 

Publication: Demographic Research 

Authors: Raffaele Guetto, Fabrizio Bernardi & Francesca Zanasi

Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/48677018 

Summary: This study investigates the impact of parental divorce on children’s scholastic attainment. It specifically examines whether the impact differs in accordance with the socioeconomic status of the parents and the circumstances surrounding the divorce. The study examines how several variables, including socioeconomic level, geography, and time, affect the detrimental impacts of divorce on children’s capacity to pursue higher education.

Family Reunion Comment: According to this study, parental divorce can negatively affect children’s educational success, especially in terms of their capacity to continue postsecondary education. It implies that divorce has different effects on children’s educational performance depending on factors including socioeconomic background and the circumstances of the divorce.

Title: Coparenting and child behavior in the context of divorce: A systematic review.

Publication: Psychology Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Authors: Tatiane M. B. Ambros, Beatriz P. Coltro, Mauro Luís Vieira, and Fernanda M. Lopes

Link: https://doi.org/10.5935/1980-6906/ePTPHD14268.en 

Summary: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association between child behavior in divorced households and coparenting, or how parents cooperate to raise their children. They discovered that supportive coparenting after divorce can result in children behaving better. Even if there is coparental support and communication, when there is conflict between parents, it might raise the likelihood of behavioral issues in kids.

Family Reunion Comment: The main goal of this study was to understand how the relationship between parents who have divorced affects their relationship with their children and the child’s development. Specifically, the researchers wanted to explore how coparenting relates to child behavior in divorced families. The findings indicated that when parents provide support and work together after divorce, it has a positive effect on the child’s behavior. On the other hand, if there is conflict between the parents, even in cases where there is support and communication, it can increase the risk of behavioral problems in the child.

Title: Role of parental divorce and discord in the intergenerational transmission of alcohol use disorder

Publication: Drug and Alcohol Dependence 

Authors: Jessica E. Salvatore, Steven H. Aggen, Kenneth S. Kendler 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109404 

Summary: This study aimed to investigate if the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be passed down from parents to their children through experiences of parental divorce and relationship discord. The findings showed a strong link between parental AUD and offspring AUD, with exposure to parental divorce and relationship discord playing a significant role in this transmission. These effects were observed in both males and females.

Family Reunion Comment: According to this study, enduring parental divorce and interpersonal strife as a child may raise one’s risk of acquiring alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an adult. The intergenerational transmission of AUD is highlighted, showing how parental AUD might indirectly impact the development of AUD in their children by exposing them to relationship and divorce issues. Understanding this link can assist in guiding interventions and support systems to lessen the potentially detrimental effects of divorce and separation on the long-term wellbeing and drug use outcomes of children.

Title: Supporting young children experiencing parental separation and divorce

Publication: 

Authors: Linda Mahony

Link: https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/supporting-young-children-experiencing-parental-separation-and-di 

Summary: This study concentrates on the subject of parental separation and divorce and how it affects young children. It explores the problems raised by these occurrences and looks at how kids usually react to them. The book also underlines how crucial it is for early childhood educators to have a thorough understanding of the experiences of kids in such circumstances.

It also describes the steps early childhood educators can take to assist kids and families during difficult times. It suggests implementing the Strengths Approach, which entails collaborating with kids, families, and other professionals to provide them the tools they need to adjust well to their altered circumstances. The overall goal is to provide educators with the knowledge and methods they need to effectively support children and families dealing with parental separation and divorce, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for all involved.

Family Reunion Comment: The emphasis is on the special requirements of young children during parental separation and divorce is an important component of it. It places a strong emphasis on professional teamwork, the strengths approach, and proactive assistance for young children and their families.

Title: Attachment, emotion regulation difficulties, and forgiveness to the ex-partner: The moderating role of sex and joint children

Publication: Current Psychology

Authors: Mónica Guzmán-González, Karina Navarro & Karla Tay-Karapas 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04191-8 

Summary: In the context of divorce/separation, this study looked at the connections between adult attachment, emotional control issues, and forgiveness. While attachment avoidance exhibited an indirect link mediated by ignorance, attachment anxiety had a direct association with forgiveness. Based on gender and parenting status, the results varied. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to take these elements into account while assisting and understanding people going through a divorce or separation.

Family Reunion Comment: This study illustrates the complex relationship between adult attachment, emotional regulation issues, and forgiveness in the context of divorce/separation, which is an essential point to remember. It underlines that people’s capacity to forgive their ex-partner can be considerably influenced by their attachment types and emotion regulation techniques. The study also emphasizes the significance of taking into account variables like parenting status and gender, since these can mitigate the associations that are seen.