The Child's Behavioral Difficulties and Developmental Tasks of the Family Life Cycle in the Post-Divorce Family

Abstract

  The Child's Behavioral Difficulties and Developmental Tasks of the Family Life Cycle in the Post-Divorce Family   Studying the Relationship in Primary School Pupils of District 12 of Tehran    Fariba Seyedan     Assistant Professor, Alzahra University, Email: [email protected]   Azam Oladi Ghaedkolaei     M.A. in Women’s Studies, Alzahra University    Abstract     .The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between child's behavioral difficulties and developmental tasks of the family life cycle in the post-divorce family. Using the survey method, the study’s sample consists of 105 primary-school pupils 6 to 12 years of age from District 12 in the city of Tehran, whose parents had divorced. The mother or father who has custody of the child filled out two questionnaires: Achenbach Scale (CBCL) for child affective-behavioral difficulties and the Naghashian’s Child Rearing questionnaire.  Findings show a significant relationship (r=0/410) between child's behavioral difficulties and developmental tasks. The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that improvement of social support network and the occurrence of regular visits with mother or father, who does not have the child’s custody, are the main predictors of child's behavioral difficulties. Based on the results of the study, the quality of developmental tasks over the family life cycle and child rearing are more important than the experience of separation and divorce. These factors have several effects upon child's behavioral difficulties.  Keywords: Divorce Behavioral Difficulties Developmental Tasks, Family Life Cycle Child Custody