by Paul R. Amato, Ph.D., Arnold and Bette Hoffman Professor of Family Sociology and Demography, The Pennsylvania State University
Research has consistently demonstrated that children and adults who go through a divorce experience declines in subjective well-being and physical health, on average.
Conventional wisdom and research strongly suggest that when divorced parents can eventually co-parent, protect their children from their unresolved conflicts, incorporate authoritative parenting skills and maintain good mental health, their children have a good chance to fare well in the long term. These are ideal goals for any family, not just those of divorce. But, during the stressful period prior to the separation-and often for several years afterward-even the most dedicated parents are unsteady.
To help individuals and society cope with [divorce], we need to move beyond sweeping generalizations about the "average" outcome of divorce and conduct more fine-tuned investigations into the full range of family processes and events that increase the risks of damage or augment the resilience of children and adults.
