Young Adult Children of Divorced Parents

Abstract

Abstract Results of a questionnaire study of the long-term effects of divorce in young adults of divorced parents indicate that depression is related to the young adult's perception of the parents, rather than to the divorce itself. Specifically, when the non-custodial parent is perceived as "lost," the young adult is more depressed. When a divorce occurs, the perception of the non-custodial father has been shown to change in a negative direction, while the perception of the mother (whether custodial or non-custodial) remains relatively stable. These results have implications for intervention.