SOCIAL SUPPORT AND BEHAVIOURAL ADJUSTMENT IN CHILDREN OF DIVORCE

Abstract

This study examines the association between social support and children's adjustment to parental disintegration in a group of thirty children aged nine to twelve years old. The buffering hypothesis posits that "support buffers persons from potentially adverse effects of stressful events" (Cohen & Wills, 1985 : 310). Using statistical correlation (N=30) and in-depth reports from ten primary caregivers and fifteen children, the study attempts to identify those support providers and support functions that best buffer children against behavioural malfunctioning and maladjustment. The correlational analysis revealed that informational support, instrumental support and companionship from teachers had predictive outcomes on the children's behaviour. In addition, emotional support and companionship were two functional types of support that created significant impacts on children. Additional perspectives on the role of social support on children's behavioural disorder were seen in the semi-structured interviews with selected caregivers and their children. It has been suggested that, perhaps, parent child relationship and parental discipline style have moderating impacts on the support provided by the custodial parents. This may provide greater understanding on why custodial parents who had been dubbed the multipurpose providers of the children, had failed to restrain the development of behaviour problems in their children.