Various studies into the psychological effects of divorce on children over many years have often revealed negative impacts on wellbeing. A recent article in the independent highlights that despite many positive changes that consider the impact on children, long term effects are remain present leading to poor educational attainment and emotional difficulties.
While some of these effects may not be exclusively due to divorce, evidence from recent studies show that it is a factor. The article highlights that a study on children with exceptionally high IQs which began in the 1920s showed a negative effect on how long those subjects lived even if it didn’t have an effect on their IQs.
The effects in this study were shown to be long term and less obvious as those who took part showed no noticeable differences to the children who hadn’t seen their parents’ divorce.
A study which covers an even longer period starting in Sweden in the 19th century and covering more than a century showed that there has been little change in educational attainment and psychological wellbeing in children of divorced parents in that time.
The conclusion to draw from this is that while divorce is unavoidable for many couples, the welfare of children involved should always be considered a top priority.