Divorce and Adolescent Development

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, despite the fact that there is a significant amount of evidence that indicates that divorce has only negative consequences related to the development of the adolescent, there is also research that concludes that the impact of divorce on this population is dependent on the parent-child relationship. This aspect regarding divorce and adolescent development is explored to determine whether or not the impact of divorce on adolescence can be reduced through parent-child relationships.

From the Paper:

"Richardson and McCabe (2001) conducted a study of 146 college students to determine the impact that divorce had on their lives during adolescence. The study group was divided into those students who had experienced a divorce and those student who did not, which provided a basis of comparison for the researchers. Richardson and McCabe (2001) found that in those families in which divorce occurred during the adolescent years the students who had a close bond with at least one parent had developed positive approaches to life 1. In the previous literature Richardson and McCabe (2001) indicated that it was believed that without such a positive relationship with at least one parent the adolescent would experience life problems related to "relationships, "life satisfaction and anxiety" 1. Yet, Richardson and McCabe (2001) stated that in both the study group who had experienced divorce and the study group that had not the existence of a positive parental relationship was vital to successful psychological development for the individual 1. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dunlop, R., and Burns, A. (2001). Parent-child relations and adolescent self-image following divorce: A ten year study. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 30(2): 117-135.
• Grych, J., and Fincham, F. (2001). Interparental conflict and child adjustment: An overview. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Jeynes, W. (2001). The effects of recent parental divorce on their children's consumption of alcohol. The Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 30(3): 305-330.
• Kim, K., Conger, R., Elder, G., and Lorenz, F. (2003). Reciprocal influences between stressful life events and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. Child Development. (74)127-143.
• Richardson, S., and McCabe, M. (2001). Parental divorce during adolescence and adjustment in early adulthood. Adolescence. 36(143): 467-482.

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