We all know that fighting and arguments in front of children are not ideal. I have seen research suggesting children seeing how adults deal with disputes can provide valuable tools for children in then dealing with conflict themselves. I have also read a great deal of research about the impact of divorce on children as a "trauma" factor on their later emotional and physical health and development.
However, this research suggests that the impact of divorce may in fact be as much from the period before the divorce, where the situation at home may have been at its worst.
Often clients come to me after a period of difficulty, but for some this can be a period of many months or years. This is sometimes seen to be staying together for the sake of the children. If this research is right, doing that can be as traumatic depending on the circumstances.
The articles has some helpful tips and information. If this raises any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In most cases, arguments will have little or no negative effects for children. But when parents shout and are angry with each other, when they consistently withdraw or give each other the "silent treatment", problems can sometimes arise. UK and international research conducted over several decades through observations in the home, long-term follow up work and experimental studies, suggests that from as young as six months, children exposed to conflict may have increased heart rates and stress hormone responses. Infants, children and adolescents can show signs of disrupted early brain development, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, conduct disorder and other serious problems as a result of living with severe or chronic inter-parental conflict.
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