Divorce is a world phenomenon that affects not only the two
parents but children too. Divorce is a wound of Albanian society
extended during this time of transition. Parents divorce with each
other and sometimes they "divorce" from their children. For a
child, losing one parent is the same thing with dying.
The aim of this study besides recognizing the phenomenon of
divorce of parents and its importance for children of 9-12 years
old to explore the effects of divorce of parents at attachment
dynamics, self-esteem and shame and guilt.
The methodology of this study is: attachment questionnaire,
self-esteem questionnaire (Rosenberg) and shame and guilt
questionnaire applied at 100 children of divorced families and 100
children of non divorced families at 9-years system at 12 schools
in the city of Elbasan.
This study proved all hypothesis and objectives and results
that children of divorced families have more shame and guilt
feelings than children of intact families. They feel guilty about
the divorce of their parents. We, also, came to an end that
children of divorced families have lower rates of self esteem than
children of intact families. It was a very large number of children
of intact families that had secure attachment compared to children
of divorced families where non secure/anxious attachment. A
characteristic of divorced children was the presence of avoidant
and disorganized attachment among them.
It was recommended that parent should not discuss their
divorce in the presence of their children, should explain that
divorce is for parents and not for children and is not children
fault about the divorce.
Key words: family, divorce,
attachment, self- esteem, shame and guilt