Children's perception of the divorce process /

Abstract

Results indicated that children from homes in which a divorce has occurred are more likely to perceive the father as responsible for the breakup of the family. Early latency age group children were more defensive about the concept of divorce than later latency age group children regardless of family status. As the study included subjects from homes in which no divorce had occurred the children were asked to imagine how it would be and respond accordingly. Children from intact homes reported the most difficulty in coping with hopes of reunification. Later latency age group children from homes in which a divorce has occurred reported a higher capacity to deal with their hope of reunification than their younger counterparts who had also experienced the divorce of their parents.

One hundred ninety-two subjects between the ages of 6-8 (early latency) and 9-12 (later latency) including males and females from intact homes and homes in which a divorce had occurred participated in this study. Differences in perception of children concerning divorce were explored using 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design (family status x gender x age grouping). The Children's Attitude Toward Parental Separation Inventory (CAPSI) subscale scores were used as dependent measures.

Methodological problems and suggestions for future research were discussed. It was concluded that children who are experiencing the divorce of their parents may be helped by understanding and responding to their perceptions of issues such as defensiveness, hope of reunification, and parental blame.