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Families Still Suffer As Divorce Rate Declines Since reaching a peak in the early 1980s, the divorce rate in America has been steadily declining, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite declining rates, divorce is still a stressful and emotionally difficult time for families.

Psychiatrist Dr. James O’Dea said that depending on friends for emotional support can help to ease the trauma of divorce for adults. He added that maintaining a regular schedule also helps.

“Adults can manage [divorce] successfully, even though it is a highly stressful and emotional time,” he said.

Children and Divorce

Couples with young children, however, may have an especially difficult time coping with a divorce. Dr. Alnoor Ramji said that the way children deal with divorce varies but often reflects the parents’ coping abilities.

Some children handle divorce with minimal guidance and difficulty, while others experience extreme emotional trauma. To ease the transition for the child, O’Dea suggests that parents share details about how the child will be affected by the divorce.

“Share as much information as you have – things like what living arrangements are going to be, whether they will be at a new school. It’s not such a big deal to you that they’ll be in a new neighborhood, but it’s a big deal to kids that might be playing soccer with a team of people they don’t know. Things like that do matter,” O’Dea said.

He said that most important is for parents not to expose their children to the messiness of divorce, particularly to any name calling or arguing.

Recognizing Symptoms of Poor Coping

Dr. Ramji said that parents should learn to recognize symptoms that their child isn’t coping well with the divorce. He said that many children manifest these symptoms physically.

“Children tend to get the aches and pains rather than saying they’re emotionally hurting. You’ll hear about a tummy ache or a headache, or notice that it’s affecting their schoolwork. That’s when it’s time to seek professional help,” Dr. Ramji said.

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