CHILDRENS BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL-HEALTH FOLLOWING PARENTAL DIVORCE

The presence of behavioral disturbances and psychiatric symptoms (ment al health), the reactions to the information about the divorce, and th e self-image among 113 children were investigated 2-8 weeks after thei r parent's application for divorce. As a reference group for the menta l health, 300 children from intact homes were used. No significant dif ferences in behavioral disturbances/symptoms in total were found betwe en the groups, between sexes, or between different age groups. However , 25% of the reported individual disturbances/symptoms had appeared or intensified at the time for the divorce, while 20% had disappeared or diminished. Strongest reactions to the information about the divorce were shown by children aged 7-13 years. The boys showed a more positiv e self-image compared to standardized norms. No significant difference was found for the girls. In conclusion, the divorce per se did not se em to cause any shortterm mental health problems in the children.