Bitter Divorce May Have a Negative Effect on a Child’s Immune System

 Posted on June 15, 2017 in Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Years of study, observation, and information have shown that children may be at risk for mental and emotional issues if their parents go through a divorce. Now, more recent information is suggesting that the negative effect is more a product of a contentious divorce, and not just a divorce itself. A new study backs this recent revelation; it suggests that bitter divorce could negatively impact a child’s immune system, perhaps for the rest of their lives. Thankfully, there are ways that parents can reduce this risk. The following information explains how.

Contentious Divorce versus Amicable Divorce

Illinois may be legally a no-fault divorce state, but the reasons for divorce are still there, simmering just below the surface. When grief, change, and the fear of losing time with a child are added into the mix, things can quickly become contentious. Unfortunately, it is that contentiousness which may harm children – not just mentally or emotionally, but also physically.

The study, which included more than 200 healthy adults who had been exposed to a cold, found that colds were more common among those who had divorced parents who did not talk. Interestingly enough, the adults who had divorced parents who still communicated did not have an increased risk of contracting a cold. This suggests it is the stress of a contentious divorce – not the divorce itself – that may cause a decline in immune system health.

In light of the evidence, parents may want to focus on pursuing an amicable divorce. Unfortunately, doing so could be extremely difficult for some families. Special strategies, the guidance of an experienced attorney, and possibly even a therapist may be critical to the process.

Strategies for an Amicable Divorce

If you want to strive for an amicable divorce, your first step should be to speak with an experienced divorce attorney. Not only can such an attorney help guide you through the steps of the divorce process, they also can help develop some strategies that fit the dynamics of your family. Other potential strategies that you can use to achieve an amicable divorce include: 

• Letting your attorney handle communications between yourself and your spouse;

• Limit conversations to matters that pertain to your child;

• Never ask about your spouse’s personal life;

• Communicate through email or in writing, instead of over the phone or in-person;

• Use time limits when phone or in-person conversations are necessary;

• Do not use your child to communicate messages to one another;

• Be as flexible as possible when it comes to pick-up and drop-off times;

• Strive to respect your spouse’s life and schedule when going through exchanges;

• Let your spouse be responsible for their relationship with your child; and

• Resist the urge to critique your spouse’s parenting methods or decisions.

Contact Our Hillside, IL Divorce Lawyer

At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we strive to protect the best interests of children. Dedicated and experienced, our Hillside, IL divorce lawyer will work with you to develop a parenting plan that can hopefully satisfy all parties involved. Learn more about how we can assist you by scheduling a personalized, no-charge consultation. Call 708-449-7400 today.

Sources:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-divorce-impact-on-kids-immunity-health-0621-20170608-story.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3813925/fathers-day-when-divorced/