If you are preparing to get divorced or you recently worked through the process and you have kids, it is important to focus on their mental well-being. Sometimes, the end of marriage has an especially significant impact on children in terms of their mental health. Moreover, if a child is exposed to interparental conflict, this can increase the likelihood of mental health challenges, such as depression.
Sometimes, divorce is incredibly overwhelming and parents struggle to avoid conflict, especially if they disagree on critical issues such as child custody and the way in which marital property is split up. However, you need to do everything in your power to protect your child’s best interests.
Looking at the impact of interparental conflict
According to Fatherhood.gov, research has shown that interparental conflict following a divorce can increase the likelihood of a child struggling with symptoms of depression. Moreover, research also shows that when children have more contact with their fathers and they are exposed to interparental conflict, this can make the child even more likely to struggle with depression.
Looking at strategies to protect your child’s mental health
If you are worried about your child’s mental well-being, there are a number of steps you need to take to protect their mental health and reduce the likelihood of depression or other setbacks. For example, you should do everything in your power to avoid conflict with your child’s other parent, especially if your child is around. If possible, try to explain the challenges you are struggling with to your child and reassure them that they are loved.
