The article presents the results of an empirical study of the impact of parental divorce on the mental health of younger adolescents, which is quite relevant due to the increasing number of divorces and their potentially negative impact on the mental functioning of children.

The aim of the study is to identify the characteristics of the mental health of adolescents from complete and divorced families in the following components: behavioral, emotional-volitional, personal and cognitive.

The results of the study revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups of adolescents. Children from divorced families had worse indicators of well-being, activity and mood, a higher level of situational and personal anxiety, more negative self-attitude (lower indicators of self-acceptance, self-interest, self-sympathy and higher – self-blame, expectations of negative attitude from others). The analysis of psychodrawings revealed significant differences in the emotional perception of the family by younger adolescents from complete and divorced families. Drawings of children from complete families were distinguished by more positive symbolism of unity and stability. In contrast, in the drawings of adolescents who experienced divorce, signs of simplification, alienation, loss, aggression, depressive tendencies, as well as an increased level of anxiety, were more often observed. In the cognitive sphere of the studied adolescents, no significant differences were found in the overall IQ level, but in the group of children from complete families, a wider range of positive indicators was observed, including a single case of a very high IQ level, and, in general, higher attentiveness and concentration of children during the work. In the group of children whose parents divorced, a higher percentage of low IQ levels and one case of a very low level were noted. In addition, the children of this group were more inattentive, distracted, and could not concentrate on performing tasks. Pedagogical observations confirmed emotional instability, behavioral problems and a decrease in educational motivation in children who experienced parental divorce.

The results confirm the negative impact of stress associated with parental divorce on various aspects of the mental health of younger adolescents, which necessitates the development and implementation of psychological support programs for this category of children.

Key words: parental divorce, younger adolescence, mental health, emotional state, self-attitude, anxiety, projective drawing, intelligence.

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