Parents' split more likely to affect the mental health of children aged 7-14

A recent study has found children that experience a family split in their late childhood and early adolescence (between the ages of seven and 14) are more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems than those who live with both of their parents.

The study from the Institute of Education, which analysed data of 6,425 children and young people involved in the Millennium Cohort Study, is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK to find the links between children’s mental health and the timing of family splits. The researchers looked into the feelings of children who saw their parents separate - when they were low, anxious, and expressing behavioural problems – and compared this information with children who did not experience a family break-up.

Key findings of the report

A fifth of the children in the study were between the ages of three and 14 when their parents split. The research, conducted by UCL Institute of Education, discovered a 16% increase in emotional problems of minors who were between the ages of seven and 14 at the time of their parents’ split, as well as an 8% increase in conduct disorders. Emotional problems were found in both the boys and girls in the study, while behavioural problems were only observed within the boy’s category.

Children between the ages of three and seven, however, were found to be no more likely to have mental health issues than those children who live with both parents.

Children from more privileged backgrounds were also just as likely to have mental health issues as their peers from less advantaged circumstances.

Professor Emla Fitzsimons, co-author of the study, explained why this particular age group are so vulnerable:

“Family splits occurring in late, but not early, childhood are detrimental to adolescent mental health. One possible reason for this is that children are more sensitive to relationship dynamics at this age.”

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