The Impact of Divorce on Children

Is it true that the process of divorce can lead to later sleeper effects?

a) True
b) False

Final answer:

The statement regarding the process of divorce leading to later sleeper effects is true.

The statement that the process of divorce matters, with later issues seen in sleeper effects, is true. Research indicates that while marital conflict can create a challenging environment for children, the stress of going through a divorce can be even more damaging. This is particularly true for children from lower-conflict homes; these children may be more negatively impacted by the divorce than by the discontent within the marriage. Sleeper effects refer to the long-term impact of divorce that may not be immediately apparent, often surfacing later in a child's life.

Children of different age groups react differently to divorce. School-aged children may understand the separation but not the reasoning behind it, while older teenagers may recognize the conflict but still experience fear, loneliness, and guilt. Infants and preschool-aged children could suffer significantly due to the disruption of routine. The introduction of a stepfamily does not necessarily reduce stress levels, as stepfamilies often face high interpersonal conflict despite economic stability.

Nevertheless, divorce has not necessarily discouraged children's views on marriage and family life. Studies have shown that the desire for a strong marital and family life remains important for many young people.