Abstract

This study examined the relation between some of the major risk and protective factors of divorce and young children’s (4 to 7 years old) emotional well-being by adοpting an ecosystemic approach based on Bronfenbrenner’s theory and Kurdek’s model of divorce. Children’s well-being was assessed by a set of components such as attention, emotional and behavioural regulation, ability to take initiatives, positive relationships with others, parents’ sensitive response to child’s needs and cooperation with school. The study was conducted with a representative sample of 130 divorced parents from different regions in Greece. The questionnaire comprised of a cluster of scales and was completed by the custodial parent. Data supported that parent-child affective relationship, supportive co-parenting, parent’s life satisfaction and the availability of supportive social groups were positively correlated to children’s emotional well-being. On the other hand, pre-divorce intra-parental hostility, conflicts between the custodial parent and the child and child’s feeling of rejection were related to less favourable developmental outcomes according to parental perception. Τhe findings are discussed through the prism of the crucial role that divorce related factors play on the developmental process and their implications to divorce intervention programs.

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