A Comparison of Mental Profiles among Female High School Students from Divorced and Normal Families in Gorgan

As a social damage, divorce can affect family members, especially children and adolescents and leave negative effects on their social and emotional development. The present study was carried out to compare mental profiles among 180 female high school students from divorced and normal families in Gorgan in academic year 2014-2015. The population of the study comprised all high school girls in Gorgan and the sample was drawn through multi-stage cluster sampling method. The research method was causal-comparative. Required data were collected using the Iranian short form of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). For the purpose of data analysis, independent samples t-test was utilized. Results showed a significant difference between the two groups of high school girls from divorced and normal families in terms of all clinical scales, i.e., hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathy, paranoia, mental weakness, schizophrenia, and mania. Based on the overall results, it is concluded that not only does parents’ break up affect their own lives but it will also have even more adverse effects on their children.