Studies Have Shown That Family Disruption Impacts Personalit
Studies Have Shown That Family Disruption Impacts Personality Developm
Studies have shown that family disruption impacts personality development. In an analysis on a longitudinal survey from 1970, researchers found that self-esteem, high sense of control over one's own life, and low behavioral problems positively develop between the ages 10–16. However, the results showed that children who experience a family disruption between these ages make less progress, experiencing lower self-esteem, a low sense of control over their lives, and more behavioral problems. Researchers also found that the younger the children are who experience a family disruption, the less detrimental these effects are long term. Why do you think this is?
Paper For Above instruction
Family disruption during childhood can have significant consequences on personality development, but the severity and long-term impact often depend on the child's age at the time of disruption. The findings from the 1970 longitudinal survey highlight that children between ages 10 and 16 typically show positive development in self-esteem, perceived control, and behavioral adjustment. When disrupted during this critical developmental period, these children tend to experience setbacks, including lower self-esteem, reduced sense of control, and increased behavioral issues. However, understanding why disruption at a younger age appears less detrimental over the long term requires examining developmental plasticity and resilience factors inherent in early childhood.
Research suggests that early childhood is characterized by heightened neuroplasticity, which allows for more flexible adaptation to environmental changes (Luby et al., 2012). During this period, children have a greater capacity to recover from adverse events because their brains are still highly adaptable. This adaptability, coupled with the presence of secure attachments and stable caregiving environments, can buffer the negative effects of family disruption. For instance, a study by Cicchetti and Rogosch (2012) emphasizes that children with supportive relationships outside the disrupted family, such as with grandparents or foster caregivers, often show better resilience and less long-term impairment.
Furthermore, children who experience family disruption at a younger age may have not yet formed rigid self-concepts or expectations about stability and control, making them more adaptable to changes (Fergusson & Horwood, 2002). Conversely, older children and adolescents have more established social and cognitive frameworks, making disruptions more disruptive to their developing identities and social functioning. The greater plasticity and fewer entrenched schemas in early childhood mean that interventions, supportive relationships, and adaptive strategies can more effectively mitigate long-term adverse effects.
In conclusion, the developmental stage at which family disruption occurs plays a crucial role in determining its long-term impact. Younger children’s neuroplasticity and ongoing developmental processes enable a greater degree of resilience and adaptability, reducing the long-term detrimental effects observed in older children and adolescents.
References
- Cicchetti, D., & Rogosch, F. A. (2012). Gene–environment interplay and resilience: Evidence from the study of maltreated children. Development and Psychopathology, 24(2), 507–520.
- Fergusson, D. M., & Horwood, L. J. (2002). Soil and Toast: A Longitudinal Study of Family Disruption, Personality, and Psychiatric Disorders. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43(4), 399–410.
- Luby, J. L., Barch, D., Whalen, D., et al. (2012). Maternal depression and children’s attachment: Does adversity influence the association? Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(4), 366–377.