This article reviews the literature on parental divorce and early childhood development, using developmental psychopathology as an organizing framework. With respect to young children, three questions are addressed: How does parental divorce affect developmental outcomes? What risk and protective factors influence adaptation? How does early parental divorce affect later adjustment? Because this review is unique in its focus on divorce-related issues specific to young children, limitations of existing research are noted and directions for future research are suggested.

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between children's representations of parent-child alliances (PCA) and their peer relationship quality, using a new scale that was developed to rate representations of PCA in children's family drawings. The parent-child alliance pattern is characterized by a relationship between parent and child that is stronger than the marital relationship. We used family drawings to assess children's (at the ages of 4-8 years) representations of alliances because it is often difficult for children to express their perceptions of family dynamics verbally. Children whose drawings were rated higher in PCA were rated lower in prosocial behavior and assertiveness and higher in social problems by their teachers. These relationships were stronger for boys than for girls.

Media portrayals of stepfamilies influence societal views of stepfamilies and individualsÕ expectations for remarriage and stepfamily life. This study examines portrayals of stepfamilies in films released in 1990 through 2003. Using content analysis to understand how stepfamilies are portrayed and to identify film clips appropriate for use in remarriage education programs, we found that stepfamilies were typically depicted in a negative or mixed way. In addition, stepparent-child relations, remarried couple relationships, and issues related to former partners were frequently portrayed. Film clips illustrating themes of stepparent-child relationships, prior marriage, conflict with former partner(s), couple relations, couple conflict, stepsibling relations, and stepfamily strengths are discussed, as well as their use in educational programming.

This study examined relationships between mothers' resolution of past loss and abuse and their adjustment to the transition to parenthood. Three groups of mothers were compared: 1) those who were unresolved with respect to loss or abuse (Unresolved Loss/Abuse), 2) those who had experienced loss or abuse, but were considered resolved (Resolved Loss/Abuse), and 3) those who had not experienced loss or abuse (No Loss/Abuse). Mothers in the Resolved Loss/Abuse group reported more negative perceptions of the transition to parenthood than did mothers in the No Loss/Abuse group, which may reflect a greater awareness of negative emotions and a greater ability to communicate openly about them. Although mothers who have experienced loss or abuse and appear to have resolved these experiences may be at risk for distress during the transition to parenthood, they do not appear to be at risk for insensitive care giving. Unresolved loss, however, was associated with less sensitive care giving. The findings of this study highlight the importance of examining current state of mind regarding past experiences when investigating relationships between childhood loss and abuse and adjustment to subsequent life transitions.RESUMEN: Este estudio examinó las relaciones entre las resoluciones maternas acerca de pérdidas y maltratos o abusos en el pasado, y su reajuste a la transición hacia la maternidad. Se compararon tres grupos de madres: 1) aquellas que aun no habían resuelto su problema con respecto a la pérdida o al abuso (Pérdida/Abuso sin resolver), 2) aquellas que habían experimentado pérdida o abuso, pero que lo consideraban parte de su pasado (Pérdida/abuso resueltos), y 3) aquellas que no habían experimentado pérdidas ni maltratos o abusos (Sin pérdidas/abuso). Las madres en el segundo grupo reportaron más percepciones negativas en cuanto a la transición a la maternidad que las madres del tercer grupo, lo cual pudiera reflejar una mayor conciencia de las emociones negativas y una mayor habilidad para comunicarse abiertamente sobre ese tema. Aunque las madres que habían experimentado pérdidas o abusos y parecían haber resuelto estas experiencias pudieran estar bajo riesgo de aflicción y angustia durante la transición a la maternidad, no parecen estar bajo riesgo en cuanto a la falta de sensibilidad del cuidado que le deben Maternal Resolution of Loss and Abuse • 131prestar a sus hijos. Los resultados de este estudio subrayan la importancia de examinar el estado mental actual en cuanto a pasadas experiencias, cuando se investigan las relaciones entre las pérdidas y los abusos durante la niñez y el reajuste emocional a las subsecuentes transiciones en la vida.RÉ SUMÉ : Cette étude a examiné les relations entre la résolution de maltraitance et de pertes passées des mères et leur ajustement à la transition à la maternité. Trois groupes de mères ont été comparés: 1) celles qui n'avaient pas résolu une perte ou une abus (Perte/Abus Non Résolu), 2) celles qui avaient fait l'expérience d'une perte ou d'un abus, mais l'avait ré...

No abstract