Factors of children’s psychological wellbeing after parental divorce: An analytical review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/Keywords:
factors of psychological wellbeing, parenting style, level of marital conflict, psychological consequences of divorce, psychological support in divorceAbstract
Introduction. Statistical data show a consistent global increase in divorce rates. Decades of research on the consequences of divorce have yielded a substantial body of evidence concerning its impact on the psychological well-being of both children and adults. However, analytical reviews on this subject remain relatively scarce in the Russian academic literature. The purpose of this article is to review the key findings from studies on the socio-psychological factors that mitigate the negative effects of divorce and determine children’s psychological wellbeing in the post-divorce period. Materials and Methods. The theoretical analysis is based on 56 domestic and foreign publications on the consequences of divorce, including research on conditions that facilitate more effective adaptation in children. Among these, 19 publications are meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and analytical reviews examining the impact of parental divorce on the psychological well-being of children and adults. Results. A child’s well-being following parental divorce is associated with a wide and heterogeneous set of socio-psychological factors pertaining to both the pre- and post-divorce periods. Given the profoundly negative impact of chronic and unresolved inter-parental conflict, the primary protective factors against adverse outcomes are the personal qualities and competencies of parents that enable conflict resolution, conflict prevention, and cooperative co-parenting. Conclusions. The organization of psychological support for families during both the pre- and post- divorce periods is essential for preventing psychological and mental health disorders in children and adolescents. Parental education, coupled with psychological interventions aimed at resolving intrafamilial conflicts, constitutes the foundation of preventive efforts to mitigate the detrimental consequences of divorce. Furthermore, a clear understanding of these protective factors is crucial for training specialists who provide support to families navigating this crisis.
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