Shattered Foundations: A Qualitative Study on the Long-Term Psychological and Academic Effects of Divorce on Children in Jammu, India

Divorce is not only the dissolution of a marriage but also a traumatic disruption in a child's life, fundamentally changing their emotional, psychological, and academic life. This qualitative study explores the socio-psychological effects of divorce on school-going children in Jammu, India, through in-depth interviews with students and school psychologists. The findings reveal a disturbing pattern of emotional distress, in the form of anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and a decline in academic performance. Most children experience difficulties in self-esteem, feelings of abandonment, and internalized guilt, and these are compounded by the ineffectiveness of support from both parents and schools, which increases their distress. Through a qualitative approach, this study portrays the lived experiences of these children, exposing the intricacies of their problems and the shortcomings of existing support systems. The study calls for an urgent need for systemic interventions, such as psychological counseling in schools, community support groups, and targeted policy reforms. Without these interventions, these children may carry the long-term consequences of divorce into their adulthood, which may impair their capacity to form healthy relationships and succeed in society.