Medical Services

Adjustment to separation and divorce is the emotional, behavioural and psychological process that children encounter when their parents split or divorce. Changes in the family may cause a sense of perplexity, upset, anger, worry, guilt or insecurity, particularly when children have difficulty understanding why the break-up occurred. Each child will behave differently depending on their age, personality, family environment, and the amount of friction between their parents.

Common indicators of adjustment problems are mood changes, withdrawal from family or friends, drop in school performance, sleep problems, irritability, clinginess, behavioural problems or anxiety about the future. Compassionate communication is vital, especially when youngsters may dread abandonment or blame themselves for the separation.

Healthy adjustment starts with giving children reassurance, stable routines, and honest, age-appropriate explanations. Parents should not include children in disagreements, badmouth one another, or put them in a position where they are forced to take sides. Supportive interactions with both parents, when safe and appropriate, can promote emotional security.

Mental health specialists may offer child counselling, family therapy, cognitive behavioural methods or play therapy to help children express their feelings and learn effective coping skills. If stability, support and patience are provided, most children will gradually adapt to the new family structure, acquire resilience and continue to grow emotionally, socially and academically in a healthy manner.