Silent hurts in young people when parents divorce
In recent years, the divorce rate in Vietnam has tended to increase. The breakdown of marriage not only deeply affects the lives of adults but also deeply impacts the psychological lives of children, especially children and teenagers.
Many young people say they have to spend a lot of time adapting to changes when their family is no longer complete.
Dinh Huyen Linh (Hanoi) shared that after her parents divorced, Linh's life was completely turned upside down. From an open person, Linh gradually became taciturn, often withdrawn and lost faith in family affection.
My parents divorced more than a year ago. In the early days, I found it very difficult to accept, the feeling in the house became empty, sometimes I just stayed in the room, didn't want to see anyone, talked less with friends and felt quite disoriented," said Huyen Linh.
Similarly, Dao Khanh Tung (Hanoi) said that his parents' divorce changed Tung's life in a different way.
After the family broke down, Tung had to move in with his mother and soon learned to take care of himself more.
“Before, I was quite carefree, rarely having to think much about family matters. But after my parents divorced, I felt that I had to grow up faster,” shared Tung.
Tung said that during that time he often felt pressured and had difficulty focusing on studying. Although he did not want to show it outwardly, the changes in his family made it take Tung quite a long time to adapt.
How to reduce harm to children when parents divorce
MSc.BS Nguyen Khac Dung - Deputy Head of the Clinical Department, Mai Huong Day Mental Hospital - said that adverse experiences in childhood, including parents' divorce, can become a source of prolonged psychological stress.
These psychological stresses can affect children's neurodevelopment, making it difficult for them to process emotions later. Some studies also show that adverse childhood experiences are related to biological reactions in the body, thereby affecting mental health," Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung analyzed.
According to doctors, one of the easily noticeable signs when children have psychological problems is changes in sleep and emotions.
Sleep is like a "heatmeter" reflecting mental health. When children often have insomnia, do not sleep deeply or stay up late for a long time, parents need to pay attention. Children becoming less sharing, withdrawn, clearly changing emotions or having impulsive behaviors such as dropping out of school, running away from home, bullying friends... can also be a warning sign," said Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung.
From a psychological perspective, expert Nguyen Hoang Anh - Voice of Therapist Office - said that divorce is not only a change in family structure but also a psychological shock for many children and teenagers.
Many children feel insecure, anxious or sad for a long time. Some even blame themselves, thinking they are the cause of their parents' separation. For teenagers, this can make them lose faith in love or have difficulty building relationships later," the expert said.
According to psychologist Hoang Anh, signs such as prolonged sadness, withdrawal, reduced academic performance, sleep disorders or loss of motivation in daily life may indicate that young people are suffering psychological trauma after family upheavals.
Parents should explain the divorce to their children honestly but appropriately for their age, and at the same time affirm that the child is not the cause of the breakup. In addition, maintaining care, positive communication and maintaining stable living habits will help children feel safer," expert Hoang Anh emphasized.
