Influence of Family Instability

Influence of Family Instability on the Social and Emotional Development of Children

Assignment: U10A1

Shawn Wilson

PSY 7220/Child Psychology

December 14, 2012

Dr. Karen Heller

Introduction

Family instability put children at risk for difficulties in social and emotional development. This topic was selected to identify how children from families that are not stable experience problems in trying to cope with home issues. In many cases, the issue affecting the children at home hinders other aspects of their lives such as school, friendships, and self-confidence. For example, when parents’ divorce their children may develop serious problems (Clark-Stewart & Brentano, 2006). Thus, by two or three years after the divorce, the intense psychological stress is over, and most children tend to function competently. Also, children tend to be at risk if their parents have violent fights. In fact, nearly half the children exposed to marital violence exhibit various forms of psychological disorder at a rate six times higher than in the general population (Garber, 1992). However, there can be long lasting effects.

It is a personal goal to learn and understand how the social and emotional developments of children from unstable families are affected. Knowing that children vary in how well they adjust to stressors such as divorce, domestic violence, and child abuse will definitely help to provide a better understanding of this topic. Even when the odds are against children, some are left virtually unscathed by even the most dangerous risk factors (Rutter, 2006).

The professional that will be interviewed is Nadine Rhodes-Marsh. Nadine Rhode-Marsh is a counseling psychologist as Bayne Jones Army Hospital. Nadine Rhodes-Marsh possesses a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology. Mrs. Rhodes-Marsh has been employed as a counseling psychologist for over twenty years. In addition, Nadine Rhode-Marsh is an adjunct...