Οι Επιπτώσεις Του Διαζυγίου Στην Ψυχοκοινωνική Ανάπτυξη Των Παιδιών 8-12 Ετών

Abstract

Introduction: Divorce is undoubtedly a condition with negative consequences for children, in respect to both their sentimental world and their conduct.Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the impact of divorce on the psychological and social development of children aged 8-12 and to compare children of divorced parents with those of nondivorced (integral families).Method: 600 students and 208 teachers made up the sample of the present dissertation. The method of simple random sampling and Quota Sampling was used in selecting the subjects of the study.The following tools were used:  T. Achenbach's Teacher's Report Form (TRF) and Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaires  R. Riggio's (1986) Social Skills Inventory questionnaire of auto-description , students' evaluation by their teachers, questionnaire of social behavior (School Social Behavior Scale)  Merrell's (1993a) personal questionnaires, one for children and another for teachers.Results: Children of divorced parents, compared with children of non-divorced (families), exhibit more stress-depression, have more social problems, a greater difficulty in thinking and concentrating and are more aggressive. They are less socially expressive and emotionally sensitive, while they care less for interpersonal skills and school activities. Last, children of divorced parents compared to those of nondivorced are more aggressive-irritable in their conduct and anti-social-aggressive.Conclusions: Children of non-divorced parents exhibit fewer problems and have better interpersonal skills than children of single-parent families. These conclusions necessitate the presence of school psychologists, and teacher awareness regarding problems of children of divorced parents. It is also imperative that programs be applied aiming at facilitating child adjustment to the new living conditions accruing after their parents' divorce.