Distress among Children whose Separated or Divorced Parents cannot Agree Arrangements for Them

Summary This paper, based on a larger study of children and their parents who were subjects of a welfare report for the court following parental separation and divorce, highlights the very high levels of distress amongst the children involved. As measured by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), 52 per cent of boys and 48 per cent of girls had significant adjustment problems immediately after the proceedings and a year later, 62 per cent of boys and 32 per cent of girls were still maladjusted. Children were more likely to have problems where parents were also distressed and where there was domestic violence. These findings suggest that these children should be considered 'children in need' under the 1989 Children Act. and that preventive services need to be developed to help parents resolve the arrangements for the children without going to court.