Interviews conducted with over 550 kids, ages 9 to 18, revealed that exposure to conflict predicted a child’s fear that one or both parents would abandon them. Furthermore, children who reported higher fear of being abandoned were more likely to report more mental health issues nearly a year later. Based on the findings, the lead author says that parents need to make sure that their children know that even though they are separated or divorced, they will continue to care for them to help reduce any fears of abandonment. Child Development, January 2021