Parental attitudes, child mental health problems and gender factor in the divorce process

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between parental attitudes throughout and after the divorce process, child’s gender, and mental health. Another objective of this study was to explore factors that may potentially affect the occurrence and progression of psychopathological issues in children whose parents have divorced. Materials and Methods: The study involved 129 children and adolescents, ranging in age from 2 to 18 years, whose parents had officially divorced. Information was gathered using both a Sociodemographic Information Form and a Divorce Questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed based on the diagnostic criteria outlined in DSM-5. Results: Majority of the sample (88.4%) exhibited one or more psychopathologies. The most prevalent psychopathology was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (57.4%). The sex of the child did not have a significant impact on the presence of psychopathology. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the age of the child at the time of divorce were associated with an elevated risk of psychopathology in the child, while being female decreased the risk of psychopathology. Conclusion: Divorce can be a mentally challenging life event for parents and children. During this process, it can be beneficial to seek professional support for the child’s mental health to proactively identify and address situations that could potentially impact the child's mental well-being