The aim of this study was to understand how do children and early adolescents perceive divorce and remarriage. Eleven children and preadolescents from 5 to 13 years of age were interviewed. Three appointments were accomplished with each child. The Family Drawing Test was also used. The interviews content was analyzed according to the age and level of development, allowing the creation of several categories: at 5 and 6 years of age wishes and fantasies with the remarriage of their parents, divorce perceived as a big commotion, loyalty conflicts and experience of development conflicts; at 8 and 9 separation anxiety, feelings of pain and loss, abandonment fantasies and conflicts in the identification process; and at 10 and 13 remarriage acceptance, protection of parents attitudes, guilt feelings and fear of retaliation and anger and sadness. We have discussed the importance and need to promote bonding and supportive strategies in family transitions.
children; preadolescents; divorce