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How Childhood Trauma Stemming From Divorce Can Manifest In Adulthood
Almost 35 million US children have suffered some form of childhood trauma.There can be many different causes behind this, including:
- Parental divorce
- Psychological or physical abuse
- Witnessing domestic violence
- Loss of a loved one
- Natural disasters
Parental divorce is one of their biggest factors, largely because divorce rates have risen in the US over recent decades. Sadly, divorce rates are continuing to rise, and there was even a major divorce spike between 2020 and 2021 caused by the global pandemic.
Unfortunately, the trauma that stems from divorce can manifest in childhood and adulthood, causing the affected individual many problems that can last for years.
Can You Prevent Childhood Trauma Caused By Divorce?
If you’re currently in the middle of divorcing your partner and want to protect your children as much as possible, then there are certain ways in which you can do this. Some of the best choices are:
- Co-parenting classes
- Divorce counseling
- A ‘Happy Divorce’ guide
You can gain access to all of this with the help of Two Healthy Homes, who are experts in helping co-parents navigate through tricky situations while protecting their children at the same time.
If you don’t use the help and resources that are available to you, it might lead to an incredibly messy and toxic divorce that negatively impacts your children.
In turn, this can lead to trauma (as discussed above). When children with trauma caused by a divorce reach adulthood, here are some of the ways it can manifest in them.
Emotional Problems
It’s common for children who witnessed their parents get divorced to eventually develop emotional problems, such as an inability to control their anger and sadness. Usually, this is because they feel guilty and question whether they caused the divorce when it’s almost never the case.
Anxiety And Depression
A 2019 study discovered that children who have experienced parental separation or divorce between the ages of 7 and 14 are 16% more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to children whose parents stay together. Often, the anxiety and depression remain until adulthood and beyond.
Unhealthy Relationships
Another negative impact is that childhood trauma can make it difficult for adults to maintain healthy romantic relationships. Instead, these relations can quickly turn toxic and lead to fast endings. Sometimes, adults that have been through childhood trauma will persistently get into abusive relationships without even realizing what’s truly going on.
Summary
In summary, this guide has covered the importance of protecting your children from potential childhood trauma that is caused by divorce, as well as some of the consequences that can arise in adulthood from failing to do so. If you and your partner are planning to get divorced (or are currently going through one), it’s highly advised that you refer back to the first subsection and the recommendations in it. You can try several effective strategies, from attending divorce counseling to reading guides on how to have a ‘happy divorce.’
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