Parental Divorce & Teen Depression
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to major life changes and family disruption. While each individual teenager will be unique, experts often advise divorcing parents to be aware of the needs and emotional responses of their teen children. Periods of increased stress can lead to depressive episodes, and teens who experience depression are at higher risk for social difficulties and poor school performance.
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Adolescent Development
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An important feature of adolescent development is that teenage children individuate and grow independent from their parents. Adolescence is also a time in which young people gain increased responsibility and experience physical, emotional and social changes. Teens in general, and especially male teens with single mothers, are at higher risk for depression.
Divorce and Stress
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Divorce creates a huge disruption in the daily life and family structure of everyone involved. Teenage children are particularly sensitive to changes in households, schedules and social life, and they can find it particularly stressful when divorced parents begin dating new partners. Efforts should be made to minimize the amount of sudden change and stress.
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Time Frame
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Experts have found that teens are at high risk for behavioral changes, such as depression, during the first two years following a divorce. The highest stress period for teenage children is when transitions and major decisions are taking place, such as changes in residence and decisions about custody and parenting.
Considerations
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Research shows that teens have the highest risk for depression when they experience a high level of conflict during the disvorce process. Divorces with lower conflict and positive co-parenting relationships tend to place lower amounts of stress on teen children. Financial hardship following divorce can also create higher levels of stress for teen children.
Expert Insight
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Experts agree that parents can help teen children cope with a divorce by maintaining as much structure and consistency as possible. Parents should avoid criticizing each other or placing the teen child in a position in which she must "take sides." Professionals at the U.S. Department of Human Services suggest that post-divorce counseling can benefits parents and teens by lowering level of distress and anxiety that can often contribute to depressive episodes.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit moody teen image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com
