Page 59 - Petelin, Ana, et al. Eds. 2019. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 59
effect of parental divorce on the psychosocial health psihosocialno zdravje v otroštvu in v mladosti | psychosocial health in childhood and youth
of children
Klavdija Gorjup
Centre for Social Work Celje, unit Laško, Kidričeva ulica 2 a, 3270 Laško, Slovenia
Divorce is a life-changing event for a family and its members. Already adults
have problems coping with it, let alone kids. Emotions of the adults often over-
shadow the kids and their needs remain overlooked. That is why it is impor-
tant to speak up about kids who have experienced divorce of their parents. At
work, we often see that divorce and its consequences affect kids' psychoso-
cial and physical health. The most obvious change after divorce is moving. The
financial situation also changes, as does the children's life style. Often hidden,
but important, is the change in children's emotions and emotional behaviour.
Divorce can have a negative effect on their sense of (emotional) safety, they
start living in »two-homes« and their parents often cannot communicate any
more. The children have to cope with different intense emotions – shame, an-
ger, guilt, mistrust, separation, etc. In such situations, the children need parents
who know how to create an environment, which allows the children to express
their feelings and know how to accept them. For this to happen, the parents
need to be sensible and responsive to their children’s emotions and needs. The
contribution presents ways of relief for children. Both parents despite divorce
still have their parenting rights and they are still both parents. They are divorc-
ing each other as partners, but not as parents. It is up to them how they will or-
ganize new family life for their children.
Keywords: divorce, children, children`s needs, psychosocial health,
relief for children
57
of children
Klavdija Gorjup
Centre for Social Work Celje, unit Laško, Kidričeva ulica 2 a, 3270 Laško, Slovenia
Divorce is a life-changing event for a family and its members. Already adults
have problems coping with it, let alone kids. Emotions of the adults often over-
shadow the kids and their needs remain overlooked. That is why it is impor-
tant to speak up about kids who have experienced divorce of their parents. At
work, we often see that divorce and its consequences affect kids' psychoso-
cial and physical health. The most obvious change after divorce is moving. The
financial situation also changes, as does the children's life style. Often hidden,
but important, is the change in children's emotions and emotional behaviour.
Divorce can have a negative effect on their sense of (emotional) safety, they
start living in »two-homes« and their parents often cannot communicate any
more. The children have to cope with different intense emotions – shame, an-
ger, guilt, mistrust, separation, etc. In such situations, the children need parents
who know how to create an environment, which allows the children to express
their feelings and know how to accept them. For this to happen, the parents
need to be sensible and responsive to their children’s emotions and needs. The
contribution presents ways of relief for children. Both parents despite divorce
still have their parenting rights and they are still both parents. They are divorc-
ing each other as partners, but not as parents. It is up to them how they will or-
ganize new family life for their children.
Keywords: divorce, children, children`s needs, psychosocial health,
relief for children
57
