Emotional & Psychological Aspects of Divorce Flashcards
7 cards from real CDA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emotional & Psychological Aspects of Divorce flashcards as text
Which of the following best describes 'divorce identity disruption'?
Answer: Disorientation from losing roles, routines, and self-definition tied to the marriage
Divorce identity disruption occurs when the end of a marriage dismantles core self-concepts such as 'spouse,' 'family unit member,' or shared future plans.
Post-traumatic growth (PTG) following divorce is characterized by:
Answer: Positive psychological change emerging from the struggle with a highly challenging event
PTG describes meaningful positive change — including new perspectives, closer relationships, and personal strength — that can emerge from the painful process of divorce.
A client describes feeling relieved the marriage is ending but simultaneously guilty about feeling that relief. A CDA should recognize this as:
Answer: A normal and common emotional contradiction during divorce
Mixed emotions — including relief alongside guilt or grief — are extremely common during divorce and do not indicate pathology.
Which attachment style, developed in adulthood, is associated with the most difficulty adjusting to divorce?
Answer: Anxious-preoccupied attachment
Anxious-preoccupied attachment leads to hyperactivation of distress and fear of abandonment, making divorce adjustment particularly difficult.
When a divorcing parent unconsciously shares inappropriate details about legal proceedings with their child to gain sympathy, this is best described as:
Answer: Emotional parentification / triangulation
Emotional parentification or triangulation occurs when a parent places a child in the role of confidant or emotional support, burdening the child with adult concerns.
Research on the 'sleeper effect' in children of divorce suggests:
Answer: Negative effects of high-conflict divorce can emerge years later, especially around relationships and intimacy
The sleeper effect, documented by Wallerstein, describes delayed emergence of divorce's psychological impact in children, often surfacing in young adulthood around romantic relationships.
A CDA client who is six months post-separation still cannot engage in daily functioning and reports persistent hopelessness. The CDA's most appropriate action is to:
Answer: Refer the client to a licensed mental health professional
Persistent inability to function and hopelessness six months post-separation may indicate clinical depression, which is beyond a CDA's scope and requires a licensed therapist.