PAPER #77 - THE INFLUENCE OF PARENT'S MARITAL STATUS ON COPING STRATEGIES AT CHILDREN.

Problem Statement: The changing of the marital status of the parents due to divorce or death of one parent parent, forces children to adapt, in a short period of time, to a large number of negative changes. Poor ability of children to cope with these situations causes a decline in the psychological functioning. Purpose of Study: The research aims at involving 180 subjects in the study in order to determine if the parents' marital status affects children in the use of coping strategies. Research Methods: In order to achieve the objectives proposed, we have used as a working instrument "The Children's Coping Questionnaire" (CCQ) made by dr. Anne E. Fedorowicz, to which it has been also added a questionnaire identifying personal data on biological gender, age and marital status of the subject parents participating in the study. Findings: Following the survey, the resulting data indicates that at general level, distraction and avoidance strategies (cognitive avoidance, wishful thinking, retaining the expression of feelings, coping effortlessly) used by children vary according to the parents' marital status. Furthermore, recorded scores for active coping strategies (cognitive decision making, positive cognitive restructuring) and seeking support revealed significant differences according to the gender affiliation of subjects. Conclusions: Parents' divorce or death of a parent, imposes on children finding ways to cope with a multitude of stressors. The children's coping to their parents' marital status change depends on how they perceive this change and on coping resources.We consider it appropriate, nationwide, to implement programs of psychological intervention for children in vulnerable situations, programs that might lead to the development of adjusting resources and diversification of coping strategies and thereby offering them sanogenetic alternatives to face life's challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]