Expert opinion: The effect of divorce and separation on children

DIVORCE and separation damage children. That was the view of Professor Patricia Casey in 1995 and it still is today.

Ahead of the divorce referendum, the Professor of Psychiatry at the Mater Hospital and UCD was asked by Fianna Fáil to provide a discussion document on the effects of divorce and separation on children. Looking at international research she found that children find divorce and separation traumatic. Although she did not campaign for either side during the referendum, the document was seen to support the No side.

“I felt I was misrepresented when the document was published and so I had to make a statement to clarify my position as a professional. The research has been fairly consistent for the last 10 to 15 years. Children do suffer adverse consequences when their parents divorce or separate,” she said.