Helping children and families deal with divorce and separation

Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

For the past several years in the United States, there have been more than 800 000 divorces and parent separations annually, with over 1 million children affected. Children and their parents can experience emotional trauma before, during, and after a separation or divorce. Pediatricians can be aware of their patients' behavior and parental attitudes and behaviors that may indicate family dysfunction and that can indicate need for intervention. Age-appropriate explanation and counseling for the child and advice and guidance for the parents, as well as recommendation of reading material, may help reduce the potential negative effects of divorce. Often, referral to professionals with expertise in the social, emotional, and legal aspects of the separation and its aftermath may be helpful for these families.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere20163020
JournalPediatrics
Volume138
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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