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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 1378–1385Cite as

Sleeper Effect of Divorce

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Synonyms

Adult children of divorce; Intergenerational transmission of divorce; Long-term effects of divorce; Sleeper influence

Definition

The sleeper effect of divorce refers to the phenomenon whereby individuals who previously showed positive recovery following childhood parental divorce later exhibit adjustment difficulties in young adulthood stemming from the earlier experience of parental divorce [1, 2]. Studies show that some children and adolescents who appear to recover and cope well after parental divorce have long-term effects in young adulthood that were not expected based on previous adjustment. Longitudinal research suggests that as children of divorce enter adulthood, they may be more likely than the general population to experience concerns about not being loved, have difficulties in relationship formation and maintenance, and have fears regarding betrayal and abandonment in romantic relationships [2]. Furthermore, in comparison to their young adult counterparts from...

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  • DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2666
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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, 415 EHS Building, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA

    Pamela A. Sarigiani

  2. Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, 205 Wightman Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA

    Tiffany Spierling

Authors
  1. Pamela A. Sarigiani
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  2. Tiffany Spierling
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pamela A. Sarigiani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

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Sarigiani, P.A., Spierling, T. (2011). Sleeper Effect of Divorce. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2666

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