Assessing Children's Adjustment to Divorce Stress

Abstract

This study examines die relative contribution of the Divorce Adjustment Inventory-Revised (DAI-R) on children's divorce adjustment with a clinical and non-clinical sample of 162 children. The DAI-R scales and total scores were correlated with standardized instruments of child adjustment, self-esteem, and family process. Parent report measures of child adjustment and family functioning, and self-report measures completed by children of adjustment and self-esteem were employed in the design of the study. Results of this study indicate that the DAI-R scales, Family Conflict and Dysfunction, Favorable Divorce Conditions and Child Coping Ability, Positive Divorce Resolution, External Support Systems, and Divorce Transition are internally consistent and related to criterion measures in this study. Overall, the significant correlations between the DAI-R total score and its factors with General Family Functioning of the Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Louisville Behavior Checklist (LBC), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children (PCSC), suggest that this instrument is notably sensitive to family functioning and child adjustment, particularly during times of divorce. One scale was found to be particularly sensitive to treatment. Implications for theory and practice are advanced in the context of psychological assessment.