The Negative Impacts of Parents’ Divorce on Children’s Mental Health

A Family is the first and foremost place for children. In addition, a family also has a
major role for the development of children, because it is a place for children to spend most of
their lives. However, it is unfortunate if there is a divorce in a family. The cause of the
divorce is because the husband and wife feel incompatible between each other. It will trigger
and they decide to do divorce process. As we know, divorce does not only affect the husband
and wife concerned, but also involves their children. According to D’Onofrio B, Emery R
"Divorce may increase the risk for mental health problems in children and adolescents.
Regardless of age, gender, and culture, children of divorced parents experience increased
psychological problems” (2019, p. 3). The children's reaction to his parents' divorce is greatly
influenced by the way parents behave before, during and after divorce. The divorce parents
have so many negative impacts on children’s mental health.

The children will feel depression. Based on World Health Organization article
“Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or
pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness
and poor concentration”. When faced with divorce from the parents since childhood, it can
indeed increase the risk of the children developing mental health disorders, one of which is
depression. After the parents separated, the impact felt was the loss of warmth and the figure
and presence of one parent. The children who are divorced from both parents, are very
vulnerable to feel lonely due to the loss experienced. Based on Scientific American article
“Divorce frequently contributes to depression, anxiety or substance abuse in one or both
parents and may bring about difficulties in balancing work and child rearing”. The children
will also feel alienated, afraid to be left alone, angry, feel rejected, insecure, and confused.
Divorce can in fact cause serious psychological disorders in children as well as impaired
development as well. Divorce in parents most often triggers depression in children in
different levels and types. The children are declared depressed if they experience symptoms,
such as sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness that last for a long time.