The Coping Process Among Children of Separated Parents

Abstract

The goal of this study is to better understand how children deal with stress caused by parental separation. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out on the nature of the difficulties they experience, their perception of control and the coping strategies they use. The sample was composed of 62 children (32 girls and 30 boys) between 8 and 13 years of age whose parents had been separated for less than three years. Our results indicate that children do face specific difficulties due to the family transition. However, many of them feel they can control the stres-sors they encounter. Our findings also demonstrate that the children use a variety of strategies, tending to opt for problem-focused strategies for dealing with the Stressors in their lives.

Key Words:

• Coping
• children
• divorce
• adjustment