Why is it difficult to determine the nature of the relationship between divorce and the psychological functioning of family members?
A) Cause and effect cannot be determined as preexisting behavioral abnormalities in either the parents or the children may make divorce more likely.
B) The findings have been too inconsistent for any conclusions to be drawn.
C) While the effects of divorce are negative on children, the effects on the spouses are generally positive.
D) Due to modern acceptance of divorce, there has been an ongoing decrease in the negative effects of divorce. As the impact of divorce has been decreasing, the effect of divorce on family functioning has become impossible to detect.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is difficult to determine the nature of the relationship between divorce and the psychological functioning of family members because cause and effect cannot be determined as preexisting behavioral abnormalities in either the parents or the children may make divorce more likely. For example, children with behavioral problems may contribute to marital dissatisfaction, which in turn may lead to divorce. Additionally, children with behavioral problems may experience negative outcomes following divorce, which again cannot be directly attributed to the divorce itself. Therefore, it is challenging to identify the directionality of the relationship between divorce and family functioning.

Why Is It Difficult to Determine the Nature of the Relationship