Final answer:
The negative impact of family transitions post-divorce tends to peak in the first year and lessen over time. This adaptation process is complex and influenced by factors such as conflict levels and the parent-child relationship, but the initial disruption can have long-term effects, especially in blended families.
Step-by-step explanation:
The negative impact of transitions on a family's interaction following divorce does tend to peak in the first year and then lessen over time. This is because as the family members, including children, adapt to these changes, they begin to find new routines and dynamics that can lead to recovery and stability. This process can be influenced by various factors, including the age of the children, the level of conflict prior to the divorce, and the quality of the parent-child relationship post-divorce. However, it is important to acknowledge that while the stress may lessen, the initial disruption can have lasting effects, particularly if the transition is not managed with care and support.
Research suggests that only in high-conflict homes do children benefit from divorce due to the subsequent decrease in conflict. However, most divorces arise from low-conflict homes where children may experience greater negative impacts from the divorce stress compared to unhappiness within the marriage itself. In cases where a stepfamily is formed, the introduction of blended family dynamics can create additional challenges and conflict, which can also contribute to stress for children.