Divorce is certainly a difficult transition for many adults and can be especially hard when young children are involved. However, a study in the Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology established how parents’ handling of divorce can make a powerful difference in how well children cope afterward.

A group of 130 divorced parents participated in the research. The study looked at children ages 4 to 7 and how they adjusted to the stress of parental divorce. Researchers assessed resilience by observing traits like attention span, emotional and behavioral regulation, initiative, and the ability to form positive relationships, especially with their parents.

Based on their observations, the children were grouped into two categories: those who were considered “resilient” (61.5%) and those seen as more “vulnerable” (38.5%). Researchers found that children who were viewed as more resilient showed better emotional and behavioral outcomes in adapting to divorce. More specifically:

Resilient children often had parents who reported lower stress, healthier co-parenting relationships, and fewer conflicts at home.
Supportive relationships with both parents, low levels of parental stress, and strong co-parenting were consistent protective factors.
The child’s gender did not significantly affect how well they adjusted.

One key takeaway was that divorce doesn’t always lead to negative outcomes for children. In fact, the study encouraged shifting the perspective from seeing divorce as a risk, to recognizing it as an opportunity to foster resilience and that, under the right circumstances, children can emerge with stronger coping skills, improved independence, and enhanced emotional intelligence.

Ultimately, supporting your child through divorce means supporting yourself as well. If you have come to the point where you are considering a split with your spouse, you will want to work with an informed, compassionate and effective attorney. Contact Williams Family Law for help by phone at 215-340-2207, or email us at info@bucksfamilylawyers.com.