Much too little is known about these non-complaining cases. Symptoms and disablement may be non-linearly related. This review was published in 1998 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and summaries have since been published in professional journals. The review focussed on studies conducted in the United Kingdom but placed these in an international context, especially research in other Anglo countries. The UK, Australia and New Zealand have similar divorce rates, not only in recent times but for many decades past.
Many studies show significant differences between children from divorced and intact families.
Those from divorced families have a greater likelihood of emotional and other behaviour problems, poorer academic achievement and greater use of medical services. As adolescents, they are more likely to show delinquent and other antisocial behaviour, to engage in sexual behaviour, and become pregnant or father children. In adolescence and throughout adulthood they have a greater likelihood of experiencing a range of mental health problems, including depression and substance abuse. Their risk of adverse outcomes is approximately double that for children brought up by their original parents. However, most children from divorced families do not show serious long-term problems and when these do occur they seem not to be attributable to separation per se .