International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI)

ISSN (Online): 2319 – 7722, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 7714

www.ijhssi.org ||Volume 11 Issue 10 October. 2022 || PP. 49-53

Psychological Problems of Children In Broken Family: A

Qualitative Case Study
MUHAMMED SHA E.K.* & PARUL. H. DESAI**
*Research Scholar, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, Gujarat, India.
Email: [email protected], Mobile 9947286855
**Associate Professor and Head, Department of psychology, Sri Vanraj Arts &Commerce College,
Dharampur, Gujarat, India.

Abstract:
Children are the most important asset of a country. There are many basic needs for children to be met. Full
development of personality depends on meeting these needs. Family is the place where the satisfaction of basic
needs of children is done. Children in broken family was neglected their basic needs. This leads to the
development of various psychological problems. The purpose of this study is to explore psychological problems
of children in broken family. The participants are the children having various psychological problems who
came from broken families. Data was collected from children, care takers, Superintendent and official records
of the Government Children’s Home, Kozhikkode. The purposive sampling strategy was employed in order to
collect data. The investigators conducted interviews with the children using an interview schedule prepared
from Mathew Maladjustment Inventory and it was analysed using content analysis.
Key words:
Psychological problems, Children, Broken Family and content analysis.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 07-10-2022 Date of Acceptance: 19-10-2022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------

I. Introduction:
Our nation's assets are its children. The development of our country is dependent on how we treat
youngsters since they will grow up to be tomorrow's young men and supply the human capital needed for that
progress.
Today's civilization is undergoing fast change. As the fundamental societal unit, the family has also
undergone some significant modifications. Its nature has been impacted, its functions have altered, and its
structure has changed. In today's society, there are an increasing number of divorce, desertion, and separation
cases. Family disagreements amongst members are getting worse. There are an unusually high number of
disputes between parents and their kids. Households that have divorced or separated parents are considered
broken families. The family may become disintegrated due to the passing of one or both parents, a parent's
protracted illness, insanity, desertion, or divorce. A youngster from a turbulent home is more likely to develop
emotional disorders or antisocial behaviour as an adult.
Basic psychological requirements are neglected for children in broken families. Children have a
variety of basic needs that must be satisfied. Meeting these demands is necessary for personality development
and potential manifestation. Children have four main psychosocial needs: the need for praise and recognition,
the need for new experiences, the need for love and security, and the need for responsibility.

The need for love and Security:

A stable, ongoing, dependable, and loving relationship with his parents—who also experience a
fulfilling relationship with one another—meets this need for the child from the moment of birth. Bowlby
advanced the theory that “mother love in infancy and childhood is a crucial for mental health, as are vitamins
and proteins for physical health” in 1951. The child realises his or her own identity and value through
relationships with his or her mother, father, and eventually an ever-widening circle of other individuals. All
later relationships are built on this foundation. The personality‟s healthy growth depends on this.
If those demands are not sufficiently addressed, the results may be severe in the long run. A large
percentage of those who are maladjusted or incarcerated in prisons, mental hospitals, borstals, and schools are
those who received unloving and uncaring care as children.

DOI: 10.35629/7722-11104953 www.ijhssi.org 49 | Page

 Psychological Problems of Children In Broken Family: A Qualitative Case Study

The need for new experiences:

As necessary to the development of the mind as nourishment is to the body, new experiences are a
prerequisite for mental growth. From birth on, the kid is given tasks that are appropriate for their stage of
development, and their mastery serves as a stepping stone for more challenging tasks. The same way that food
is important for the body‟s development, new experiences is a prerequisite for mental growth. Beginning at
birth, children are given activities that are appropriate for their stage of development, and their mastery serves
as a springboard for increasingly challenging feats.

The need for praise and recognition:

A significant incentive is required since developing from a helpless newborn into an independent adult
takes a tremendous amount of emotional, social, and intellectual learning and is invariably best by challenges,
disputes, and disappointments. This is offered by adults who love the child and whom the youngster in turn
loves and wants to please, as evidenced by their joy at accomplishment and their appreciation of achievement.
Unfortunately, praise and recognition are nearly always offered for success rather than for effort. As a
result, this demand is frequently and most easily met in the case of children who are clever, healthy, well-
adjusted, and attractive.

The need for Responsibility:

This need is satisfied by allowing the child to develop personal independence, first by teaching him
how to take care of himself in daily care activities like eating. washing and getting dressed. He aspires to be
like his parents since he continually models himself after them.
A child who isn't given the chance to practice responsibility won't learn to take responsibility for him,
for others, or for material possessions. When this denial is coupled with a lack of training in self-control and
forward planning, such children are more likely to be impulsive, unable to delay the satisfaction of urges,
disrespectful of others' rights, and, in general, irresponsible. If one of these basic needs remained unmet- or
inadequately met, it may lead them to several psychological problems. Certain psychological problems like
depression, anxiety and feeling of inferiority seem significant and rich in the previous studies.
Cherlin, A. J et al. (1991) analysed longitudinal studies of effects of divorce on children in Great
Britain and the United States. The studies discovered the following behavioural issues in kids as a result of their
parents' divorce: mood swings, feeling like no one loves them, lying, being overly fearful, arguing too much,
difficulty concentrating, being easily confused, being cruel to others, being disobedient at home and at school,
being impulsive, feeling inferior, not being liked by other kids, having obsessions, restless, stubborn or
irritable, having a strong temper, feeling down or depressed, withdrawing, etc.
A thorough review of the research on the long-term effects of divorce on children conducted by
Wallerstein, J. S. (1991), has led to a growing consensus that a significant number of children experience
psychological and social problems related to ongoing and/or new stresses in the post-divorce family for many
years and have increased anxiety when forming lasting attachments at later developmental stages, such as
young adulthood.
A review of community-based studies on the impacts of homelessness on children was done in 1991
by Rafferty, Y., and Shinn, M. Children who are homeless face substantial risks to their future wellbeing and
chances for success. Health issues, hunger, inadequate nutrition, developmental delays, anxiety, depression,
behavioural issues, and educational underachievement are of special concern.
Noviandari, H etal (2020) through their phenomenological study in children of broken home found out
that Adolescents who grow up in dysfunctional families can endure psychological effects such as being more
reserved and depressed for longer periods of time. They concluded that adolescent delinquency and mental
illnesses including stress, worry, and depression are caused by family disturbance.
In their thorough evaluation of the data on the effects of divorce and separation on children's outcomes
(Rodgers and Pryor, 1998; Pryor and Rodgers, 2001), Rodgers and Pryor came to the conclusion that children
of separated parents are more likely than children whose parents remain together to report more depressive
symptoms and greater levels of smoking, drinking, and other drug use during adolescence and adulthood.
T. Tabassum (2020) carried out a quantitative descriptive research study Children between the ages of
8 and 15 who resided in Bahawalnagar District of Punjab, India, served as the study's respondents. The
respondents were chosen using a straightforward random sampling procedure. Data gathering was done using
survey questionnaires. In three months, 100 respondents' data were gathered, and SPSS was used for analysis
(version 25). According to the research, most children who grow up in dysfunctional families experience social,
psychological, and financial issues. Low provision for basic needs, an inferiority complex, and social prejudice
were among these issues.

DOI: 10.35629/7722-11104953 www.ijhssi.org 50 | Page

 Psychological Problems of Children In Broken Family: A Qualitative Case Study

To determine the impact of a broken home on teenage aggression, Barnow, S., et al. (2001) conducted
comparison research comparing aggressive and non-aggressive adolescents. Adolescents who were aggressive
reported considerably higher levels of social issues, attention deficiencies, anxiety, and sadness.
Studies regarding the psychological problems of children in broken family using case study qualitative
analysis are rare in the literature. In order to address the gaps in the current researches, the present research
focuses on exploring the psychological problems of children in broken family.

Objectives of the study:

To explore psychological problems of children in broken families.

Participants:
The participants selected for the study are 10 children having various psychological problems who
came from broken families and are inmates of Government Children‟s Home, Kozhikkode, Kerala. Six children
are girls and four of them are boys. From the six girls, two of them are victims of parental rejection and others
of parental separation. From the four boys, two of them are members of deserted family and others are victims
of marital discord of their parents. Purposive sampling method was used for selecting participants.

Measures used:
The investigator used semi-structured interview method.The investigators conducted interviews with
the children using an interview schedule. Secondary data was collected from children, care takers,
Superintendent and official records of the Government Children‟s Homes for boys and girls, situated at
Kozhikkode. And it was analysed qualitatively using content analysis.

Procedure:
The investigator obtained permission from Regional Assistant Director, Department of Social Justice,
Kerala to visit both Government children‟s homes for boys and girls situated at Vellimadukunnu,
Kozhikkode,Kerala to collect data from children, Care takers, Superintendents and official records. Informed
consent was obtained from the children before the interview. And an interview schedule was devised to explore
several psychological problems of the children. The interviews lasted between 40 minutes to one hour.

Analysis:
Content analysis was used for data analysis of the present study. Generally, content analysis is the most widely
used qualitative approach to analysing interviews. Key contents were developed from the research objective
and from the responses of the participants.

Findings:
The responses of the participants are categorized according to the contents. The details of the findings are given
below in the tables.

Table 1 shows contents related to Depression

Sub Theme Frequency Percentage
1.Sleep Disturbances Insomnia 5 50 %
Sleep Walking 1 10%
Sleep Talking 4 40%
Night mares 8 80%
2.Feeling of hopelessness 6 60%
3.Loss of Interest in daily activities 5 50%
4.Suicidal ideation 3 30%
5.Difficulty in Concentrating 5 50%
6.Feeling of guilty 2 20%
7.Devaluation of Life 4 40%
8.Dysphoria 2 20%
9.Irritability 4 40%
10.Mistrust 3 30%

Table 2 Shows contents related to Anxiety

Sub themes Frequency Percentage
1.Worry of Future 7 70%
2.head ache 10 100%
3.Being Upset 5 50%
4.restlessness 3 30%
5.Enuresis 1 10%
6.Aggression 2 20%

DOI: 10.35629/7722-11104953 www.ijhssi.org 51 | Page

 Psychological Problems of Children In Broken Family: A Qualitative Case Study
7.Self-Destructive Behaviour 1 10%
8.Trouble Concentrating 6 60%
9.Chest Discomfort 10 100%
10.Worry of Future 8 80%

Table 3 shows contents related to Feeling of Inferiority

Sub themes Frequency Percentage
1.Feeling of smallness 8 80%
2.Sensitiveness 3 30%
3.Shyness 7 70%
4.Lack of Self confidence 4 40%
5.Easily hurt 2 20%
6. Defectiveness 3 30%

II. Discussion:
During the analysis three major key contents and its symptoms has been explained. It is Depression, anxiety
and feeling of inferiority. Ten depressive symptoms have been described under content of depression and ten
symptoms has been analysed under content of anxiety. Five sub issues analysed under feeling of inferiority.

Depression:
By analysing ten cases the investigator could understand that all of them have depressive symptoms
ranging from mild to moderate levels. In interview schedule 20 questions deals with depression. Most of the
children responded positively to these questions. All children have sleep disturbances including sleep walking,
sleep-talking, sleep terrors and insomnia. Three girls have stressful events in life. They had no any sleep
disturbances before their traumatic experiences. The psychologist of the home identified the sleep disturbances
as arisen from stressful experiences of their life. The contents of sleep terrors indicate their family
circumstances and miseries of their life. Children who were physically or mentally abused by their own fathers
have night mares containing fearful image of their father.
A care taker opined that the words verbalized by children with sleep-talking are indicators of their
traumatic stress events of their life. The investigator came to know that some children adopt suitable measures
like book reading to terminate insomnia. Learning problems and disinterest in social activities were reported in
some cases. It may be caused by lack of needful sleep. Continuous sleep disturbances may lead them to several
disastrous consequences.
Recurrent thought of death or suicidal ideations were present in three children. A girl had made
attempt to commit suicide also. This finding is supported by the study conducted by Wagner in 1997. His study
revealed that children are at increased risk for suicide if they have lost a parent or have been abused. Some
children feel that life is filled with miseries and they possess negative attitude towards life.
Diminished ability to think and concentrate in classroom was reported by the superintendent of the
children‟s home in case of 5 children. Three of them are girls. In their own words their concentration has been
distracted to family conditions and fearful experiences of life. In boys, irritability and aggressive behaviours are
present. Boys often quarrel and humiliate each other in the absence of care takers. The quarrels between
children from Kerala and other states are present. A girl suffers from enuresis. This disorder began after she
was sexually abused by her own father. It may be the impact of her parental deprivation and abuse.

Anxiety:
By analysing ten cases both physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety are present in almost all
cases. When asked about the automatic thoughts, all children positively responded. Anxiety about future life is
present mainly in girls. One girl who was sexually abused by her own father expressed her intense anxiety
about her future life. The girl who was assaulted by her lover considers all men in the world as untrustful. All
boys and girls have headaches and soreness in the chest when they are stressed. The girls who were abused and
boys were separated from their home and familiar surroundings become restless during night. Poor
concentration and inability to sustain attention in the classroom was reported about 8 children by
Superintendent and girls are more anxious about their future.

Feeling of Inferiority:
All children suffer from feeling of inferiority, especially when they go to school in which other
children study. In the view of majority of general population, Government children‟s home is a jail filled with
children in conflict with law. Their classmate and even some teachers view the inmates of government
children‟s home as „criminals‟. This social stigma creates major problems for the children. Some children
refuse to go to school.

DOI: 10.35629/7722-11104953 www.ijhssi.org 52 | Page

 Psychological Problems of Children In Broken Family: A Qualitative Case Study

During the analysis of ten cases, the investigator found out the interest to be alone and withdrawal
features in most of the children. Feeling of inferiority at equilibrium level is better for the personality
development of an individual. According to Alfred Adler, Inferiority by itself can never produce greatness. It
must be combined with talent, courage and social interest. But excessive inferiority complex leads to
maladaptive behaviours and to become social withdrawn person. Adller believed that people are greatly
motivated by fictions or expectations of the future than by experiences of the past (Adler 1956).
By analysing ten cases we can see that all children have major aims and expectations in life. To
become Military Officer, District Collector, Doctor, computer engineer is some of them. These goals of their
life may help them to overcome their feeling of inferiority and may work as motivating force to strive for
superiority. Their goals to become higher authorities may not exist in the future. But it moulds contemporary
behaviour because it is subjectively perceived in the here and now. Two children suffer from severe feeling of
guilty, feeling of smallness and shyness.one child has stolen many times and caught by police and another girl
ran away from home with her lover and was abandoned by him after sexual abuse.

III. Conclusion:
The Children of broken family suffer from a plenty of problems. The life of children in government
children‟s home is meant for supporting them for personality development and better future life. Few
psychological problems have been explored and analysed here by the investigator. The negative attitudes of the
public towards inmates of government children‟s home should change by giving proper awareness and
empathetic attitude should be developed. Current findings highlight the importance of conducting multi-
disciplinary research on mental health of the children of broken family and invite implementation of
government programmes to address their issues.

References:
[1]. Ambika, T. & Khadi P.B, D.B. (2003), Comparison of parenting styles between accepted and rejected pre-school children of rural
and urban areas, Asian journal of psychology and education 36, 1-2.
[2]. Barnow, S., Lucht, M., & Freyberger, H. J. (2001). Influence of punishment, emotional rejection, child abuse, and broken home on
aggression in adolescence: An examination of aggressive adolescents in Germany. Psychopathology, 34(4), 167-173.
[3]. Braum, V., & Clarke, v. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2).77-101.
[4]. Cherlin, A. J., Furstenberg Jr, F. F., Chase-Lansdale, P. L., Kiernan, K. E., Robins, P. K., Morrison, D. R., & Teitler, J. O. (1991).
Longitudinal studies of effects of divorce on children in Great Britain and the United States. Science, 252(5011), 1386-1389.
[5]. Cohen V.(1998). Suicidal Behaviour and ideation in a community sample of children, Journal of American Academy of Child and
Adolescent psychiatry. 5,1-2.
[6]. Dhanya.A(2003). A study on the various adjustment problems of children, Centre for P.G studies in social work, Sulthan Bathery.
[7]. Dubowitz, (2001). Neglected children Research practice and policy. SAGE Publications Thousand Oaks. London.
[8]. Ganesh M.P & Magdalin S (2007). Perceived problems and academic stress in children of disrupted and non-disrupted families,
Journal of the Indian academy of applied psychology. 9(4).
[9]. Hasnain N & Khan S.H(2004).Psychological wellbeing of orphans, Journal of Indian Academy of Applied Psychology64, 150-163.
[10]. Jaya I.V & Narasimhan S (2003). Violence on children between 10-18 years in varied family contexts. Indian psychological
Review
[11]. Kase K & Goankan V. (2005). Influence of parental temperament on accepted and rejected pre schoolchildren, Asian Journal of
psychology and education
[12]. Kelley J.B, G. (2003). Hidden effects of divorce on children. Journal of the American academy of child and adolescent psychiatry.
[13]. M.C. Lanahan& Sandefur (1994). Growing up with a single parent: what hurts what helps, Harward University Press.
[14]. Nagar.D (2001). Deprived children. Print well books. Thilak Nagar. Jaipur.
[15]. Noviandari, H., Winarsari, A., & Sulthoni, A. (2020). Analysis Of Learning Achievement Of Children Broken Home At Pgri
Purwoharjo High School (Phenomenology Study In Children Broken Home). Internasional Journal of Education Schoolars, 1(3),
93-104.
[16]. Pandey.S.C (1993). Psychological consequences of child abuse. Concept publishing company, New Delhi.
[17]. Pryor, J. and Rodgers, B. (2001) Children in Changing Families. Oxford: Blackwell
[18]. Prinkle M. K (1991). The needs of children. Hutchson & con Ltd Fitzroy Square, London.
[19]. Riaz M.N (2005). Relationship among perceived parental acceptance, rejection, control and psychological adjustment of children
in Pakistan, Journal of personality and clinical studies.
[20]. Rafferty, Y., & Shinn, M. (1991). The impact of homelessness on children. American Psychologist, 46(11), 1170.
[21]. Sharma K.H. (2007). Effect of parental deprivation on the personality of children, Indian Journal of community psychology.
[22]. Shukla G, Kumar M & Nigam. B (2004). A Study of scholastic performance in relation to deprivation, Asian Journal of
psychology and education.
[23]. Suman L.N & Umapathy A. (2008). Parent-child relationship and achievement motivation, Indian Psychological Review.
[24]. Singh S.C & Singh A.P (2008). Parent-child relationship as predictor of subjective well-being among high school students, Indian
Journal of community psychology.
[25]. Tabassum, T. (2020). Effects of broken families on socialization of children in district Bahawalnagar (Doctoral dissertation).
[26]. Wallerstein, J. S. (1991). The long-term effects of divorce on children: A review. Journal of the American Academy of Child &
Adolescent Psychiatry, 30(3), 349-360.

DOI: 10.35629/7722-11104953 www.ijhssi.org 53 | Page