Marlene Pomrenke

Resilience in Children of Separated / Divorced Parents Marlene Pomrenke

Shorttitle This book discusses resiliency in pre-teen children from separated or divorced families. It describes a research study designed to identify the resilient attributes of children from high-conflict, separated or divorced families. Results from this study offer a unique perspective on this issue. New information reveals that separated families in high-conflict who are able to reorganize by expanding to include blended or extended family members exhibit a strength that is connected to their ability to adapt. This strength becomes a basis for mutual support as stepparents and grandparents provide a sense of security and refuge for the children. External support systems including friends, teachers, counsellors and extra-curricular activities supplement family strengths. These cohesive families then enable the children to draw on individual resilient attributes in spite of the ongoing interparental conflict.