The first large study to assess the emotional impact on children of their parents splitting up has found that those whose parents split up when they were between the ages of seven and 14 were significantly more likely to suffer emotional and behavioural problems than those whose parents stay together. It also found no discernible difference between children whose parents split up between ages three and seven, and those whose parents do not split up.
The analysis of 6,000 children born in the UK at the turn of the century found that the greatest risk of repercussions in the form of bad behaviour and disobedience come in late childhood and early adolescence.
The University College of London scientists behind the new research believe divorce is more damaging to adolescents than to younger children, because they are more socially sensitive and better able to pick up on negative relationship dynamics.
Prof Emla Fitzsimons, who co-authored the study, said: “With adolescent mental ill health a major concern nationally, there’s a pressing need to understand the causes.”
