Question

Which statement about the impact of divorce on children's functioning is true?

a) although most children do not suffer many short-term problems as a consequence of divorce, many long-term consequences become apparent later.
b) the majority of children whose parents divorce suffer both short- and long-term problems as a consequence.
c) although divorce has negative short-term consequences for some children, most children do not suffer long-term problems as a consequence.
d) although there are some negative short-term consequences, there are almost no long-term consequences of divorce.

Answer 1

Most children experience negative short-term effects from divorce, particularly from lower-conflict homes where the stress of divorce is more harmful than the conflict of an unhappy marriage. Long-term effects can be more varied, with stepfamilies often not providing stress relief despite potential economic gains.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the impact of divorce on children's functioning, research indicates that short-term consequences are generally negative for some children, but it's the long-term effects that tend to diverge based on individual circumstances. While children from high-conflict homes may benefit from the reduction in conflict post-divorce, the majority of divorces arise from lower-conflict homes where the stress of the divorce can be more damaging than the unhappiness in the intact marriage. This can lead to both short- and long-term issues for the children affected. Additionally, the creation of stepfamilies often does not alleviate stress levels for children, even if there is an increase in economic stability, as these families frequently experience high levels of interpersonal conflict.