A. Please review/respond/correct the notes made to the attached research proposal.B. Develop the attached research project by revising the Method section. Include your research instrument (survey, in

Running head: DIVORCE 0

The Impact of Divorce on Children

HUB 670: Research Applications

National University, Online Program

Dr. Timothy Ruppert, Professor

The required table of contents must follow this page.

Abstract

This is a meta-analysis research investigating the physical, social, and emotional impacts of divorce on children. It digs deep on how children in different developmental stages are affected by divorce, and the roles parents play in diminishing the effects of divorce. In the research, which consists of 20 independent studies, numerous factors such as age, gender, social, economic status, and family discord have been used in addressing the issue.

Divorce creates behavior problems, self-esteem issues and relationship issues for children when dealing with this major life change. One of the most influential components in the life of a child is family; the quality of the relationship that the teen maintains with the family unit will play a significant role, in the formulation of behaviors. Moreover, the proposal discusses the relevant theories and research papers in this regard and presents possible limitations and outcomes.

KEYWORDS . Divorce, family, children, parents.

The Impact of Divorce on Children

Today, divorce is more common than lasting marriages. In the United States, 40 to 50% of marriages end in divorce (Marriage and Divorce, n.d.). Living in a broken home has become the norm for a substantial number of children. The figure of minors affected by divorce each year is staggering. More than a million children are involved in divorce annually (Beal and Hochman, 1991). Sadly, the effects of divorce on children are not considered by the parents until it is too late.

Typical in school-age and adolescent children is the desire or fantasy for parents to reunite, fear of abandonment by one or both parents, and/or feelings of responsibility for the divorce. The impact of divorce will also carry on in the adult life of the individual. Hence it is crucial to understand the impact that divorce has on children.

Research Proposition

The primary objective is to investigate the impact of divorce on children’s attitudes and behavior by conducting a meta-analysis of 20 studies. The research is qualitative with the impact of divorce and children’s attitude and behavior being independent and dependent variables respectively. The study focuses more on the children’s experiences and feelings during times of parental separation. The purpose of the review was to explore children’s feelings and attitudes about their parents’ separation.

Research Questions

Based on the research, it is quite clear that children are affected negatively by divorce. This raises numerous questions from a third party’s perspective on the matter.

1. What is the effect of divorce on a children’s academic achievement and social relationships?

2. Is there any relationship between divorce and children’s short and long-term maladaptive behaviors?

3. Is there an age group that is more likely to be negatively impacted when their parents’ divorce?

Literature Review

1. Bayrakal, S., & Kope, T. M. (1990). Dysfunction in the single-parent and only-child family. In this pilot study, twelve adolescent inpatients who were an "only child" in single-parent families were compared to a control group of adolescent patients (of corresponding demographics). In some "minimal families" (single parent/only child), the interpersonal transactions were examined as the crucial parameter in the formation of dysfunction. Statistical analysis of the data supported the hypothesis that in this clinical sample, the single-parent/only child families and their adolescents would display more disturbance than the control group.

2. Schroeder, R., Osgood, A., & Oghia, M. (2010). Family Transitions and Juvenile Delinquency. This project used two waves of the National Youth Survey (NYS) as a continuing longitudinal study to assess the influence of family dissolution and formation on juvenile delinquency through the intermediate process of changes in parental attachment and ⁄ or family time.

3. Davidson , R., O'Hara, K., & Beck, C. (2014). Psychological and biological processes in children associated with high conflict parental divorce. The paper reviews the connection between exposure to parental conflict, the biological stress response system, psychological disturbance, and sleep.

4. Aseltine Jr, R. (1996). Pathways linking parental divorce with adolescent depression. Using data from high school students this study was conducted to test the link between divorce and adolescent depression. The findings showed a correlation between divorce and adolescent depression.

5. Størksen, I., Røysamb, E., Holmen, T., & Tambs, K. (2006). Adolescent adjustment and well-being: effects of parental divorce and distress. Data was collected from 8,984 Norwegian adolescents (13–19 years) and their parents to show the long-term effects that divorce has on children and adolescents. They found that girls have more long-term effects from a divorce than boys do.

6. Vanassche, S., Sodermans, A., Matthijs, K., & Swicegood, G. (2013). Commuting between two parental households: The association between joint physical custody and adolescent well-being following divorce. In this article a study was done on one thousand five hundred and seventy children with divorced parents, to study the overall wellbeing of the child after the divorce. The study showed that children in joint custody and other custody arrangements are very similar to one another.

7. Shansky, J. (2002). Negative effects of divorce on child and adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Comparing multiple data sources, the author examines the well-being of children and adolescents before and after a divorce. Their findings show that children that have been affected by divorce have more behavioral problems than do children living in single-parent homes.

8. Jurma, A. (2015). Impact of Divorce and Mother's Psychological Well-Being on Children's Emotional, Behavioral, and Social Competences. Describes the behavioral issues that children have after a divorce, along with the way the mother handles the behavior of her children. The study showed the consequences of divorce upon children, mothers’ wellbeing, and parenting styles, that divorced children had more behavior problem then did children with both parents.

9. Amato, P. (1993). Children’s Adjustments to Divorce: Theories, Hypotheses, and Empirical Support. National Council on Family Relations. Amato compares five perspectives that explanations for a child’s adjustment to the divorce of their parents. The perspectives include the absence of the noncustodial parent, the adjustment of the custodial parent, inter-parental conflict, economic hardship, and stressful life changes on behalf of the child. Amato proposed hypothesis and theory for each perspective and examined studies that could help support each of the hypothesis. Amato suggests the theory that the absence of one parent from the household is a problem for a child’s socialization.

10. Lansford, J. (2013). Parental divorce and children's adjustment. The article examines existing literature on children’s behavioral adjustments as it relates to divorce. The author has tried to show how divorce relates to the changes in children’s behavior in each aspect like academics, socializing, and internal problems. Secondly, he tries to examine the timing of divorce, demographic characteristics, and children’s adjustment rate prior to divorce and then stigmatization as moderator of the link between divorce and adjustment behavior. Thirdly, he has examined the income, conflicts, parenting, and well-being as the mediators of relationships in between divorce and adjustment. The author has shown how the effects of divorce can change the child’s behavior.

Hypothesis.

Parental divorce has a direct, negative impact on children; It is expected that children from divorced homes will have higher rates of social and emotional discomfort than children from homes not divided by divorce.

Synthesis.

All articles share a common thread, in that, divorce permanently weakens the family and the relationship between children and parents (Amato, 1993). Research by Bayrakal & Kope (1990) supports the hypothesis that single-parent/ only child families would exhibit more emotional disturbances. Amato (1993) further suggests the theory that the absence of one parent from the household is a problem for a child's socialization.

Additionally , Jurma (2015) concluded that divorced children had more behavioral problems than their counterparts and Aseltine (1996) linked parental divorce with adolescent depression as a source of secondary problems.

Method

The articles used in this research focused on the effects on children after a divorce. The main focus is how children are being affected physically, socially and emotionally. The articles were analyzed using a table where we were able to compare the methods used, samples, a variety of populations, limitations, and suggested recommendations for further research. The Internal Review Board (IRB) was not used due to no human participants needed. When human research is being conducted IRB is established to protect the rights and welfare of the research participants. Ethical standards were not needed due to no human participants that would involve the use of principles, values, and/or culture.

Case Selection/Participants

Twenty studies are included in the analysis; the date will range from 1990 to December of 2014. For a study to be included in this meta-analysis research, it must meet the following criteria. First, the study must contain a sample of children living in a single-parent family (through a divorce) as well as a sample from families that have not been separated via divorce. Second, subjects must be 18 years and/or younger.

Results

Findings and Conclusions

Although research concludes that children, whose parents divorce, have less academic success, the effects on these children are not long lasting. Also, the younger the child during the divorce, the more at risk he/she is for developing behavioral problems, but as for academic and social outcomes, teenagers/adolescents are the most at risk. Interparental conflicts and parenting were found to be the most influential mediator between divorce and children’s adjustment. Many factors stemming from the type of family structure can have both negative/beneficial effects on the children, though in general, the original hypothesis is supported.

Evaluation

This source is valuable in explaining a vast number of factors that may have an impact on children, besides the divorce itself. Each is carefully accounted for and evaluated as a mediator between divorce and children’s adjustment.

Discussion

Interpretation of Major Findings

Limitations to the Study

Directions for Future Research

Implications from the Study

General Summary and Conclusions

References

Amato, Paul R. (1993). Children’s Adjustments to Divorce: Theories, Hypotheses, and Empirical Support . National Council on Family Relations. 55(1). 23-38.

Aseltine Jr, R. H. (1996). Pathways linking parental divorce with adolescent depression. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 133 -148.

Bayrakal, S., & Kope, T. M. (1990). Dysfunction in the single-parent and only-child family . Adolescence, 25 (97), 1.

Beal, M.D., E. W. and Hochman, G. (1991). Adult Children of Divorce . New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

Davidson, R. D., O'Hara, K. L., & Beck, C. J. (2014). Psychological and biological processes in children associated with high conflict parental divorce. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 65 (1), 29-44.

Jurma, A. M. (2015). Impact of Divorce and Mother's Psychological Well-Being on Children's Emotional, Behavioral, and Social Competences . Revista de cercetare si interventie sociala, 48.

Lansford, J. (2013). Parental divorce and children's adjustment. Journal of Family Issues, 34 (23), 460-485. Retrieved from http://pps.sagepub.com/

Marriage and Divorce. (n.d). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/topics/divorce/

Schroeder, R., Osgood, A., & Oghia, M. (2010). Family Transitions and Juvenile Delinquency . Sociological Inquiry, 80 (4), 579-604.

Shansky , J. (2002). Negative effects of divorce on child and adolescent psychosocial adjustment . Journal of Pastoral Counseling, 37 , 73.

Størksen, I., Røysamb, E., Holmen, T. L., & Tambs, K. (2006). Adolescent adjustment and well‐being : effects of parental divorce and distress. Scandinavian journal of psychology , 47 (1), 75-84.

Vanassche, S., Sodermans, A. K., Matthijs, K., & Swicegood, G. (2013). Commuting between two parental households: The association between joint physical custody and adolescent well-being following divorce. Journal of Family Studies, 19 (2), 139-158.

Research Paper Rubric Worksheet

Reviewer: Dr. Timothy Ruppert

Author of Research: Joanne Y. Gill

Clarity of Expression, Organization, Abstract, and Adherence to APA Style	Clearly not a research paper in format and content	Poorly written and organized; not acceptable or appropriate for graduate level	Does not consistently and clearly meet standards for graduate level research and writing	Meets standards for graduate level research and writing	Exceeds standards for graduate level research and writing
	( 0 points )	( .5 points)	( 1 points )	( 1.5 points )	( 2 points )
Research Proposition	Proposition does not follow acceptable standards for graduate level research.	Proposition not clear or well-stated. Does not include testing hypotheses, research questions, or problem statement	Proposition of limited value Does not clearly state hypotheses, research questions, or problem.	Proposition fairly well-stated and mostly meets expectations for testing hypotheses, research questions, and problem statement.	Clear and well-stated proposition which exceeds expectations for testing hypotheses, research questions, and problem statement.
	( 0 points )	( .5 points )	( 1 points)	( 1.5 point )	( 2 points )

Scope and Synthesis of Literature Review	Literature review lacks coherence, breadth, depth, and integration	Literature review is largely descriptive with no analysis and synthesis.	Literature reviewed is based on limited sources and synthesis/integration is superficial	Literature review includes adequate coverage of relevant sources. Provides an elementary synthesis and integration of reviewed literature.	Literature review includes exhaustive coverage of all relevant sources. Literature is critically analyzed and reader is provided with a well-developed synthesis and integration
	( 0 points )	( .5 points )	( 1 points )	( 1.5 point )	( 2 points )

Population and Sampling Methods		Population not described or defined. Sampling not considered. Bias not considered.		Population studied is not well defined and not clearly described. Sampling process is not described and justified. Potential bias is not stated.		Population studied is defined and described. Sampling process is described, but not well-justified. Potential bias is stated.		Population studied is well defined and clearly described. Sampling process is clearly described and well-justified. Potential bias was anticipated and minimized.
			( 0 points )		( .5 points )		( 1 point )		( 1.5 points )
Research Methods			Methodology not specified or totally inappropriate for the research proposition		Methodology specified but not in sufficient detail to demonstrate that the research proposition can be adequately tested.		Methods are defined and described, but not complete or well-justified.		Methods were well defined and clearly described. All relevant information was presented (e.g., IV, DV, procedure, measurement instruments)
			( 0 points )		( 5 points)		( 1 point )		( 1.5 points )
Data Collection and Analysis	Data collection and analysis is missing, confusing or incomplete.		Method for data collection and analysis is limited and does not adequately address research proposition		Data collection methods and data analysis do not meet needs for rigor and accuracy.		Data collection and analysis methods meet basic expectations for rigor and accuracy. Presentation of data and findings is mostly clear and complete.		Data collection and analysis methods meet highest expectations for rigor and accuracy. Clearly addresses research proposition and related findings.
	( 0 points )		( .5 points )		( 1 points )		( 1.5 point )		( 2 points )
Discussion and Interpretation of Findings	Findings are not discussed or interpreted		Findings are not clearly discussed and little interpretation is offered		Findings are minimally discussed and interpretation is limited		Findings are somewhat discussed and the interpretation is mostly clear and complete		Findings are clearly discussed; the interpretation is well-founded and clearly expressed. Discussion and interpretation reflect back on research proposition.
	( 0 points )		( .5 points )		( 1 point )		( 1.5 points )		( 2 points )
Supplemental Materials (copies of survey, Informed Consent Form, etc,)	No supplements in appendices or elsewhere		Some supplemental materials included but not all		Supplemental materials included but of low quality		Supplemental materials included but contain significant errors		Supplemental materials included and of high quality
	( 0 points )		( .5 points )		( 1 point )		( 1.5 points )		( 2 points )
Total Points _5.5/15_____

Comments

Clarity: The purpose, design, and support for this research study are not presented to argue for its uniqueness and need for completion.

Organization: This paper is not organized according to requirements as set forth in the APA Publication Manual (6th ed.).

APA Style: The writing style lacks a succinct and informative nature. The reader is not provided clear guidance regarding the study’s intent and feesibility.

Research Proposition: The research proposition is defined. The IV(s) and DV(s) have not been clarified, and the method for measuring the effect size is unclear.

Scope and Synthesis: While adequate attention has been given to supportive and relevant literature, this will continue to expand during HUB 670. Please add a minimum of eight more articles/sources to qualify for an exhaustive review. Revise the synthesis section as directed above to demonstrate the unique qualities of this proposed study that sets it apart from existing research.

Population & Sampling: The target population, the sampling process and representative number/size, have been clarified. There is no justification or rationale for choosing the sample size.

Research Methods: The methodology must be revised to meet the requirements set forward by the APA.

Data Collection and Analysis: While you have chosen a meta-analysis to compare existing research, it remains unclear as to how the data will be collected and entered for evaluation.

Discussion and Interpretation: No discussion and interpretation has been provided.

Supplemental Materials: No supplemental materials have been provided. No required appendices exiss for this paper.

Joanne,

My hope is that the thorough feedback provided will allow you to make necessary changes to develop a viable research proposal. Many missing elements have been addressed. I remain unsure as to why certain issues were not dealt with more effectively in HUB650. At least now you possess a thorough review to utilize in moving forward successfully. Score: 1.83/5

Thank you.

Dr. Tim