Are Children of Divorce More at Risk for Suicide?

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Illinois family law attorney

There’s no question that divorce is difficult for children. Plenty of studies have been done that point to the fact that children from dissolved-marriage homes have more trouble in school, often experience behavioral problems, and are often even more likely to pick up unhealthy social habits, such as smoking. Yet a new bombshell study out of Columbia University may have the worst news yet for divorced parents. Released in December, this new research found that children of divorce are more likely to attempt suicide in adulthood than adults who grew up with intact parents. Of the overall sample of nearly 50,000 people, nearly 14,000 people were classified as depressed. After analysis of the data, researchers found that parental divorce increased the likelihood of a suicide attempt by 14 percent.

This, of course, is not to say that it is healthier for children to grow up in a home in which parents argue all the time. In fact, many studies show that children who live in an unhappy home are oftentimes worse off than children of divorce. This extends deeper as well. Some studies show that when a pregnant woman is in an unhappy relationship, the stress can carry to her unborn child, sometimes leading to developmental difficulties in childhood. Yet children who grow up in a split parent home, but one in which they feel nurtured, respected, and safe, are often better off.

The trick is to take it slowly, and put the needs of your children above your own. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it can be messy and emotionally draining to commit to fostering a healthy relationship with your ex. Speaking with a legal professional is the best first step to determining the logistics of your divorce, and oftentimes he or she can point you in the right direction to figure out subsequent complicated social arrangements. One piece of advice is to seek the counsel of a co-parenting therapist. This allows both parents to approach the co-parenting arrangement with less bitterness and more cooperation than may have otherwise been possible alone.

If you or someone you know is considering divorce, whether or not you have children, the importance of speaking with the right lawyer cannot be overstated. Do not go through it alone. Contact an experienced Aurora family law attorney today.