Divorce is a life-altering event, not just for parents but for children as well. Understanding how kids cope with loss and change is essential for helping them adjust in a healthy way. In this episode of Children First Family Law, Krista interviews Dr. Karey O’Hara, a psychologist and assistant research professor at Arizona State University specializing in the intersection of family law and psychology. Dr. O’Hara’s research focuses on how children and parents navigate significant disruptions like divorce and loss, using science to develop practical interventions. Her work goes beyond academic studies. Dr. O’Hara actively collaborates with courts and community programs to ensure her findings help real families in meaningful ways.
During their conversation, Krista and Dr. O’Hara explore parents’ powerful influence on their children’s emotional well-being during a divorce. They discuss the importance of validating a child’s emotions, the three key components of high-quality parenting, and how love and consistency shape their ability to adapt. Dr. O’Hara shares insights from her research program, which examines behavior and emotions under stress, and highlights Project Brain Team, a program designed to support children’s mental health and coping strategies during divorce. She and Krista also discuss the science behind co-parenting dynamics and how parents’ actions impact their child’s resilience.
Krista and Dr. O’Hara further explore the following:
- Parents play a crucial role in shaping how children cope with life’s challenges, including divorce. Dr. O’Hara’s research highlights that children who feel loved and supported by their parents fare much better, even in difficult family situations.
- When parents acknowledge their child’s feelings—rather than dismissing or ignoring them—it helps reduce emotional tension. Validation can act like a fire extinguisher, calming intense emotions and allowing for clearer communication.
- Parents can buffer their children from the adverse effects of divorce by maintaining stability, providing reassurance, and modeling resilience. Children with strong, supportive parental relationships are more likely to adapt well.
- Effective parenting is a balance of warmth, structure, and consistency. Dr. O’Hara points out that children need both emotional support and clear boundaries to feel secure, particularly during major life changes like divorce.
- Research-backed interventions help children cope better with divorce by teaching them coping strategies and emotional regulation skills. Dr. O’Hara’s work ensures that these scientific findings are applied in real-world settings to benefit families.
- Project Brain Team provides kids with tools to manage stress while helping parents build healthier co-parenting relationships. These programs focus on mental health, coping strategies, and strengthening the parent-child bond.
- Divorce is an emotional experience, and how parents handle it has a direct impact on their children’s well-being. Dr. O’Hara’s research highlights minimizing conflict, fostering positive interactions, and ensuring children feel heard and supported.
- A child’s resilience is primarily influenced by how their parents navigate conflict and co-parenting. When parents work together with their child’s best interests in mind, they set their children up for long-term success.
Divorces are emotional and often messy. With a science-based approach to reducing tension in these situations, children benefit long-term. Dr. Karey O’Hara is working hard to help parents and kids find the solutions they need in high-stress environments.
If you want to learn more about The Children First Family Law Podcast, check out www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com/science-based-solutions-for-co-parenting-through-divorce-with-dr-karey-ohara.