Impact of Divorce on the Development of Psychiatric Pathology in Children

Divorce and the resulting conflicts can have a profound impact on the life, development, and psychological health of children, who are essential members of the family. This impact is particularly severe when the child has an existing psychiatric disorder and is exposed to the distressing dynamics between their parents. In some cases, disputes over custody and contact arrangements, as well as attempts by parents to influence the child against the other spouse, can exacerbate the child’s condition. This paper discusses a 16-year-old patient of Franco-Moroccan origin, diagnosed with type I bipolar disorder, who has been under psychiatric care since 2012. The patient has a history of five hospitalizations and numerous manic and depressive episodes. The onset of his symptoms coincided with the emergence of familial conflicts, and his first hospitalization occurred at the time of his parents' divorce. The severity of his psychiatric disorder increased in tandem with escalating parental disputes over his custody and psychiatric care. This case highlights the significant impact of parental conflict and divorce on the progression of psychiatric pathology in children.