17th Dec 23 11:00 pm
JamieFor most people who go through a divorce, the process is one of the most stressful experiences of their lives. Divorce can have a devastating emotional and psychological impact on the couple going through it, and these difficulties can continue long after the divorce is finalized. When children are involved, they too may go through various emotional and psychological adjustments and may experience problems as a result, both during and after the divorce. At the Colorado Divorce Law Group, the family law attorneys strive for a professional and compassionate approach that accounts for the personal difficulties associated with divorce. If you are planning to get a divorce, preparing to file a divorce appeal, or have any other family law concerns, consider contacting the firm today at (720) 593-6442 to schedule your individual consultation
According to a British study published in the National Library of Medicine, divorce and separation are linked to increased incidence of anxiety, depression, and alcoholism. For many adults, the end of a marriage has an impact similar to that of the death of a loved one. Divorcees often deal with grief after the end of the marriage.
Divorce also often has major financial implications. If both spouses were earning income during the marriage, the household income of each spouse may be reduced significantly following divorce. One spouse may also be obligated to provide spousal support and/or child support payments. These financial changes can be extremely stressful, which can lead to heightened anxiety.
Divorce can be extremely difficult for any children of the divorcing couple, especially if the children are very young. Many children struggle with heightened stress levels, feelings of guilt, behavioral problems, and various mental health problems during divorce proceedings and in many cases after the divorce decree has been issued by the family law court.
Divorce typically results in fewer regular interactions with at least one parent, which can strain parent-child bonds. According to a paper published in the Journal of Social Studies Education Research (JSSER), studies show that children often feel less close to both parents post-divorce. The parents often struggle with increased stress, which can impact affection and discipline. This stress is also often passed on to the children.
The familial shift of a divorce can easily introduce numerous stressors for children, with common examples including relocation and financial instability. The resultant atmosphere of uncertainty can be very emotionally difficult for children, whose developing awareness of social relations and emotional intelligence may respond to disruptions with feelings of guilt and heightened emotional sensitivity. These prolonged emotional disturbances can influence children’s developmental paths and future relationships.
Children of divorce are more likely to have behavioral issues like impulsivity and delinquency compared to those from two-parent households. Children are also more likely to struggle with peer conflicts in the wake of divorce. These issues can arise even in early childhood, as even preschoolers of divorced parents are at a higher risk of bullying and social isolation.
Research has shown that these issues can persist into adulthood; one study found that children whose parents were divorced 20 years ago were more likely to commit crimes and engage in other dangerous activities. The potentially negative repercussions are not isolated to behavioral patterns but extend to strained relationships with custodial parents, along with an increased risk of developing addictions.
Parental divorce is associated with an increased risk of various mental health problems in children. The stress induced by parental separation often leads to heightened levels of depression and anxiety, linked with altered self-perception and compounded by other personal struggles like illness and sleep disorders.
Anxiety is an especially common consequence of familial disruptions, which can be intensified by factors like financial instability, non-acceptance of the divorce, and less time spent with the non-custodial parent. You can learn more about the psychological and emotional aspects of getting a divorce and filing a divorce appeal on parents and children by speaking with the family law attorneys of the Colorado Divorce Law Group.
A study by Indian researchers, published in ClinMed Journals, outlines five main psychological and emotional stages of divorce. Of course, everyone is unique and, just as is the case with the experience of grief, may experience these stages in different orders or for different lengths of time than others.
At this stage, it is common for both partners to blame each other for the end of the marriage. The initiator of the divorce often struggles with a variety of difficult emotions, such as resentment, disillusionment, and anxiety. The other spouse is often consumed by feelings of disbelief, fear, shock, and a loss of control. Counselors who work with recently divorced clients often strive to instill a sense of control and facilitate concise decision-making during this stage.
This stage is characterized by pervasive feelings of sorrow and a profound sense of loss, coupled with heightened sensitivity and difficulties concentrating. A counselor may help their client in this stage by assigning manageable tasks, helping the client navigate the grieving process, offering feedback to help them recalibrate their mindset and attitude, and clarifying the divorce process through structured information.
The third stage typically involves feelings of anger and betrayal, accompanied by underlying fears and uncertainties. Counselors may attempt to neutralize anger and promote constructive decision-making during this stage.
Individuals embrace independence and start to become more self-assured during this stage. Mental health professionals may help clients in this stage improve their communication, foster cooperative parenting, and assist in future planning.
This stage involves acceptance and the formulation of agreements, such as a co-parenting plan, between the divorced former spouses. The counselor may use this time to help the client develop empathy for their ex-spouse and transition into a new post-divorce life.
Resolving disputes or making modifications to divorce terms, such as child or spousal support, is typically best handled in trial courts, rather than a divorce appeal. If mistakes in the divorce decree are found, both parties can agree to amend it, which can avoid a lengthy appeal process. For enforcing judgment terms or addressing decree errors, using local court processes is usually the best option. Consulting an attorney is advisable since winning a divorce appeal is usually challenging, and experienced counsel can guide you to easier alternatives, such as post-decree motions.
If a party wishes to move forward with a divorce appeal, they should understand that they must do so within 14 to 21 days if the order was issued by a magistrate and 49 days if the order was issued by a district judge. Additionally, parties can only appeal orders pertaining to property division, parenting time, decision making authority, spousal maintenance, or child support.
Divorce is a difficult journey that often involves profound psychological and emotional strains on both the involved adults and any children they may have had together. The family law attorneys with the Colorado Divorce Law Group combine professional insight with a compassionate approach to help our clients navigate these challenges. If you have questions about the emotional and psychological impacts of filing a divorce appeal, or about any other divorce matter, contact the office today by calling (720) 593-6442.
