Approximately one in three American children experience parental divorce before age 18.[1] Divorce can bring significant family changes, but divorce effects on teenagers aren’t the same for every child. Some teens may feel upset, angry, worried, or confused, while others could adjust relatively well. And how your teen responds can depend on much more than the separation itself.
Understanding the effect that divorce may have on your teen can help you support them through challenging times. This page can help by exploring:
Major family transitions, including divorce, can be stressful for adolescents.[2] And divorce doesn’t happen in isolation. Your teen may already be dealing with:
Divorce potentially adds another layer of change.
Depending on your family’s circumstances, parental divorce could mean your teen experiences changes to:
Plus, the actual divorce itself may not be the only source of stress. Conflict between parents, disrupted routines, or changing relationships can add pressure, too.
It’s normal for teens to have mixed emotions when their parents divorce.
You may have wondered whether divorce could emotionally “scar” your child. If so, it’s worth knowing that most children are resilient and show no obvious psychological problems following parental divorce.[3] Still, teens can experience many different emotions when their parents separate, and every child responds differently.[4]
The following sections break down the most common reactions adolescents have when their parents divorce.
Even when both parents stay involved, a teen may grieve for the family life they feel like they’ve “lost.” They might miss having everyone under one roof or feel sad that family traditions won’t be the same.
Sadness can be a normal response to major change, and adjustment might naturally take some time. However, some divorce effects on teenagers may need closer attention. For instance, if your teen’s low mood continues for several weeks or begins affecting their daily life, this could be a sign of teen depression after divorce.[3][4]
Teen anxiety after divorce might show up as worries like:[4]
Uncertainty itself can be stressful, but being clear and open with your child may help them feel more reassured and safe.
Some teens may feel angry or become irritable with one or both of their parents over the divorce.[4] Others might withdraw, keeping their emotions bottled up inside. Emotions from both sides of the coin are understandable, so it’s good to be patient while still maintaining boundaries around acceptable behaviors.
Even if your teenager doesn’t have the words to express what they’re feeling, their behavior may give you some insight into what they’re experiencing.
Adolescents don’t always sit down and say, “I’m finding it hard to deal with your divorce.” In fact, they may not fully understand what they’re feeling themselves. Sometimes, changes in their behavior tell you more.
You might notice the following behavioral changes:[3][4][5]
Not every change in your teen’s behavior will be caused by divorce. We all have bad days. When thinking about divorce effects on teenagers, what’s more important is looking for patterns, changes that persist, or behavior that starts affecting their daily life.
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Research into parental divorce and teen mental health suggests that how well teens adjust can depend on several factors.[6][7]
For instance, how your teen copes and makes sense of the divorce may affect their adjustment. Support from friends, extended family, or people at school may help make the changes easier to handle.[6]
Ongoing or intense conflict between parents could also add to a teen’s stress, especially if they feel caught in the middle. However, respectful communication between parents may make adjustment easier.[6] This is one reason why research on divorced parents and teen mental health looks beyond the divorce itself.
Repeated moves, changing schools, or unpredictable schedules can add to a teen’s uncertainty. Research also suggests that repeated moves are linked with difficulties at school.[7]
Further, school difficulties, friendship problems, existing mental health concerns, or other major life changes may add another layer of stress during parental separation for teenagers.
Recognizing that no two teens are the same can help you make sense of why your teen may be reacting the way they are.
You can’t take away every difficult feeling your teen experiences during a divorce. But you can help make some of the family changes feel safer and more manageable. While you can’t control all the divorce effects on teenagers, how you support your child through the changes can make a difference.
If you’re helping a teenager through divorce, some practical things you might try include:[4][8]
While parental support can make a real difference to how a teen copes with major life changes, there are times when they may require additional help.
Sometimes, divorce can hit teenagers hard, including those who, from the outside, might seem “fine.” While many teens adjust well, some divorce effects on teenagers may include emotional or behavioral difficulties.[5]
Signs your teen may be having trouble adjusting to the new family situation include:[9]
One of these signs on its own doesn’t necessarily mean your teen needs mental health treatment. But if changes persist, get worse, or begin interfering with daily life, additional support may help.
Support might start with their school counselor, care provider, or a mental health professional.
If you suspect that your child’s immediate safety is at risk, call the 988 Lifeline or 911 for support, or bring them to your nearest emergency room.
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
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When it comes to divorce and teenagers, some emotional ups and downs are to be expected. Divorce may bring significant change, but it doesn’t have to negatively affect your teen’s mental health for the long term. If their mood or behavior changes during or after the separation, professional support can offer them a separate, safe place to process what’s happening.
At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we offer a variety of treatment programs to support teens who are finding it challenging to adjust to major life changes, such as divorce. Our residential, outpatient, and online programs provide different levels of care, with families involved where appropriate, including through family therapy.
Treatment may include combining evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with other methods, such as mindfulness, art, and somatic therapy. Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
Start the admissions process online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Reach out for a free, no-obligation conversation. We’re here to help your family adjust, no matter what you’re experiencing.
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