Investigation of Anxiety Levels in Divorced and Married Mothers and Theirs Children

Abstract

Objective: In this investigation, anxiety levels of divorced/married mothers and their children were compared to examine the effects of divorce on children. Methods: 3(rd)-6(th) grade children from an elementary school in the City of Izmir, whose parents were divorced or married, and their mothers were sampled. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for children, STAI for mothers and individual data questionnaire were administered to both children and mothers. Results: State-trait anxiety levels were found to be increased in children of divorced parents compared to those in children of married parents (t=4.13 p<0.05, t=5.08 p<0.05). Similarly, state-trait anxiety levels in divorced mothers were higher than those in married mothers (t=5.76 p<0.05, t=6.31 p<.01). Conclusion: It is interpreted that divorce has negative effect on mothers and children when considering the findings suggesting increment in anxiety levels in mothers and children of divorced families. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2011; 48: 66-70)