The Effects of Divorce on Parents and Children

Divorce leads to the structural, emotional, and psychological separation of the family and in turn, refers to the beginning of a new status for all family members and for children in particular. Therefore, children are mostly affected from this negative situation. Following divorce, children or adolescents may exhibit various psychosocial problems such as low self-esteem, academic failure, separation anxiety, intense fear and anxiety, feelings of unworthiness, accusing or attacking the parent they live with, asking less questions and playing less, delinquency, and having negative opinions about getting married and having children in the future. Nurses can support parents by handling the problems children encounter following divorce. They can help families express and share their feelings as well as preparing them for their new roles by sparing enough time for the family and the children. Nurses can provide that children and adolescents identify and use active coping methods appropriate for their age in the face of divorce. They can also develop school based intervention programs for children and adolescents. They can help children receive support from parents, friends or other adults. Furthermore, they can guide children and adolescents when necessary since they have up-to-date knowledge on social institutions and resources. In this article, our purpose was to reveal effects of divorce to children’s health and in family and to increase awareness of nurse about this topic by researching the roles of nurse.