ABSTRACT
The psychological functioning of parents after separation and divorce improves significantly over time in both men and women—the best predictor seems to be how well a person seems to be adjusting at the time of separation or the final divorce. Children whose problems are externalized, as well as those in unhappily married families, do appear to have reduced achievement motivation and lower academic self-concepts, although the age and stage of development of the child at the time of separation is crucial. High levels of parental conflict also appear to have indirect effects on children's adjustment, and this is associated with less-warm empathic relationships between parents and children and more rejection of the child. The Exeter Study also highlighted the issue of domestic violence and its effect on children, particularly where there has been subsequent re-ordering of families, involving several separations and new partnerings.
