Published as a separate and in The Journal of Divorce, 2000, 21, 23-27
THE EFFECTS OF DIVORCE
ON A EIGHT YEAR OLD'S SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
IN A CLASS ROOM ENVIRONMENT¹

Department of Child Psychology, Charles University

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of divorce on a six year old social behavior. Fifty eight year old Ss were divided into a control group (parents not divorced) and an experimental group (parents being divorced).
At the end of a 10 week observation period the two groups were significantly different in their social class room behavior. There was an increase of social tension between the Ss of divorced parents to other children.

A. INTRODUCTION

Child psychologist tend to say that divorce causes a physical and mental strain on young children. It is believed that divorce enhances a number of social development skills in eight year old's. Empirical studies have substantiated these beliefs in part. Johnson (1)found that personality changes occurred for eight year old's as a result of their parents getting a divorce. In a similar study Flute (2) showed that interaction between eight year old's of divorced parents and non- divorced parents was significantly different. Collins (3) and Forrester (4) both found that physical activity between the groups ended in aggression and physical fighting.
These studies suggest that divorce has a significant increasing effect on eight year old's ability to interact with children in a calm manner and their ability to develop social skills. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of divorce on six year old's ability to grow socially in a group.

B. METHOD
1. Subjects

Ss were 50 male and female eight year old's enrolled at Farmount Elementary School in Seattle Washington.

2. Measuring Instruments

a. Berkeley Child Anger Test. The Berkeley Child Anger Test was developed by Rogers (5)and has a reliable outcome of .78. Ss are tested for their ability to deal with certain situations that may cause anger to a child dealing with problems at home, such as divorce. Or the small problems that small children may have to deal with, such as sharing. It is a list of things checked of by the doctor through observations in the class room
b. Child Interaction Assessment. The Child Interaction Assessment was created by Collins (3). This assessment is a way to see whether or not a child is going to have a difficulty developing socially in a class room atmosphere. It is given through a one on one meeting with a child and a psychologist.
c. Child Living Situation Test. The Child Living Situation test is a test developed by Rigby (6), as a way to find out about a child's home life. It is a form filled out by the parents at open house night at school and given to the administrators to look over.

3. Procedure

During open house at Farmount Elementary school in September, 1999 all parents of eight year old children were given the Child Living Situation Test. The first 25 children with parents divorced and the first 25 of on divorced parents were to be observed.
The students who were selected to participate in the experiment were assigned to one of two groups and an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group were the children with divorced parents. They were given the Berkeley Child Anger Test. Also the Child Interaction Assessment. The control group were the children with parents still married. They were also given the Berkeley Child Anger Test, and the Child Interaction Assessment.
During the first 3 weeks of observation each Ss was given the Child Interaction Assessment. Each Ss was taken individually to see the schools Child psychologist to be asked questions pertaining the friends that they have and how their parents act towards each other and to them.
Each day, both the control and experimental groups were observed by the teachers and the psychologist at the school. Also each day the experimental group was asked questions about their home life and about their parents. In general how their home life was.
When ever there was a argument between two children, notes were taken on how each child dealt with the problem. Whether or not one child started to yell and throw a fit of if they dealt with it as calmly as a eight year old can. Observations were also taken on how well the Ss could work together on group activities. Whether or not they got frustrated quickly and couldn't work through a simple task with out throwing a fit.
At the end of the 10 week period the teachers, and the school psychologist got together to discuss the findings their observations of the Ss.

C. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Following the 10 weeks of observation the teachers and the school psychologist came to the conclusion that the children with divorced parents deal with problem in a very different way then the children with parents still married. The children with divorced parents deal with their problems by yelling and screaming, not like a normal eight year old would. They would also not try their best at getting their work done to their best ability. In working in group activities the children would try to take charge of the group and be the boss, which would make the whole situation even more horrible because young children don't like to have one person be the boss. So things would get even more out of hand and there would be lots of fighting going on between the group members.
In most cases the children with divorced parents would try really hard at something and when it would work out the way they wanted they would cry. These children would also cry more times then most for the littlest of things.
A way to go further with this research is to test different age groups. And to see what home life is for these children and find out how to make it better. So that their school life won't be effected by their home life by making them more irritable.

REFERENCES

1. JOHNSON, K, L. The Effects of Divorce on Adolescent. New York: Newberry Books, 1984.
2. FLUTE, R, E. Interaction with Other Children After Divorce. Portland: Rockford Books, 1995.
3. COLLINS, G, H. Child Interaction Assessment. Orlando FL.: Records & Files, 1989.
4. FORRESTER, C, L. Aggression After Divorce. New York: Paper Back Books, 1969.
5. ROGERS, T, G. Berkely Child Anger Test. San Diego CA.: Records & Tests, 1998.
6. RIGBY, A, S. Child Living Situation Test. Seattle WA.: Records & Files, 1993.

DEPARTMENT OF DIVORCE
CHARLES UNIVERSITY
1423 FERL:
SEATTLE WASHINGTON 90210

¹Received in the Editorial Office on June 21, 2000 and published immediately at New York, New York. Copyright by The Journal Press.
² This experiment was supported in part by a University Research Project granted by Erin E. Graviett by Charles University.

³ Request for reprints should be sent to the first author at the address shown at the end of this article.