The findings of three logitudinal studies of marriage, divorce and remarriage became the basis for the book  For Better or For Worse – Divorce Reconsidered  written by E.Mavis Heatherington and John Kelly.  The Virgina Longitudal Study spanned over three decades and is haled as the most comprehensive study on families which encompassed nearly 1400 families and over 2,500 children.  Among the most important findings to emerge and sited in this book are quote:

• Divorce changes people’s behaviour, feelings, friendships, health, and, in the case of adults, their work and sex lives.
• The end of the first year is usually the most painful point in the entire postdivorce period.
• Preadolescent girls usually adjust more easily to divorce than boys.
• Casual postdivorce sex is more emotionally risky for women than men.
• Men and women rarely marry the person they leave a marriage for.

Divorce brings uncertainty, stress and in many cases poverty.   It is an emotional roller-coaster ride for every member of the family and what can make matters even more difficult, everyone gets on and off this ride at different times.

How are you and your family faring?  I would love to hear from you.