Moderators of the Association Between Parental Divorce/Separation and Adolescent Externalizing Behaviors and Substance Use: A Systematic Review

Abstract

While parental divorce/separation is a risk factor for adolescent externalizing behaviors—including substance use—properly understanding the effects of divorce/separation requires considering the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to heterogenous adolescent developmental processes. To better understand for which adolescents’ parental divorce/separation predicts externalizing behaviors, the present review aimed to examine the moderators of this association. 34 cross-sectional (20) and longitudinal (14) studies were identified through a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Narrative synthesis was used to interpret the results across the individual, family, and broader contextual levels. The strongest evidence suggests that divorce/separation occurring earlier in an adolescent’s lifetime is more strongly related to externalizing behaviors and that positive family relationships could be protective after divorce/separation. Further evidence suggests that it is important to consider broader contextual factors (e.g., country-level diversity of family structures, availability of psychosocial school programs, cultural background) when examining the impact of divorce/separation on adolescents. Conclusions are limited by each moderator having been examined in few studies and a lack of recent literature, with a majority of studies being over 20 years old, despite evidence suggesting that family transitions remain relevant to adolescent development.