The Thomas Coram Research Unit at the Institute of Education conducted aliterature review which concluded that, although children whose parentshave separated have an increased risk of poor or adverse outcomes inareas such as mental health, educational achievement and behaviouralskills, the difference between intact and separated families is smalland most children will not be affected in the long term.
The study concludes that family functioning is much more significantthan family structure. It says that factors such as parental conflictand the quality of parenting and of parent-child relationships interactbefore, during and after a separation between parents.
The report blames poverty for contributing to family breakdown and addsthat financial hardship is often a consequence of parental separation.Lone-parent families tend to be significantly worse off financially,which increases the likelihood of other factors associated with negativeoutcomes, such as poor housing, health problems and poor nutrition.
Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute,said, 'Separation is an upheaval for children - sometimes a very welcomeone where they feel safer and more secure. But even when separation isunwelcome, they can get through and do well, if they don't feel caughtin the middle between warring parents.
'Warring parents who stay together do not necessarily protect theirchildren from the effect of their unhappiness and strife.'
Further information
'Impact of family breakdown on children's well-being' is atwww.dcsf.gov.uk/research.
