HOW DO CHILD CUSTODY BATTLES AFFECT THE CHILDREN’S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING?
Divorce is one of the top five most stressful life events a person can experience, along with the death of a loved one and a major illness. It has an undeniable impact on the well-being of the spouses who are splitting up. But what about the children?
Three Factors Affect How Children Process Divorce
Research shows that a child’s ability to adjust after divorce depends on a few key factors:
- The nature of the parents’ relationship before divorce
- The parents’ ability to focus on the child’s needs before, during, and after divorce
- The intensity and duration of parental conflict
Emotional and Physical Impact of Parental Conflict on Children
Experts believe the primary indicator of a child’s post-divorce adjustment is conflict between their parents. Children exposed to bitter, high-conflict custody battles may experience physical and emotional struggles, including:
- Low self-esteem
- Acting out in school
- Anxiety and depression
- Feelings of hurt, anger, and frustration
- Fighting with peers and parents
- Headaches, stomachaches, and other symptoms
- Disruptions in eating and sleeping
- Immature or hyper-mature behaviors
- Sense of abandonment, especially if they are estranged from a parent
- Preoccupation with the divorce, the hope of reconciliation, or the need for information