John Edwards' Three Children Face Another Scandal in the Spotlight

Jan. 27, 2010 — -- Few are likely to be more affected by one-time presidential hopeful John Edwards' bombshell admission to being the father of Rielle Hunter's toddler than his three other children.

In a last week, Edwards wrote, "I am Quinn's father." He was referring to Frances Quinn, Hunter's little girl who is now nearly 2 years old.

"I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves," said Edwards. "To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry."

Today, ABC News learned that the Edwards are legally seperated and that the former presidential hopeful is no longer living in the family's Chapel Hill home. Under North Carolina state law, a couple must be legally separated for at least a year and a day before filing for divorce.

Edwards' children from his marriage with Elizabeth are Cate, 27, Emma, 11, and Jack, 9. Because of their varying levels of maturity, they are likely to react to news of their new half-sibling differently, according to child psychologists.

"Usually there is a kind of shock and shame, especially in a situation like this, that comes upon the family and children are not immune to experiencing it," said Diane Kirschner, a Manhattan-based psychologist who has not treated the Edwards' children.

Kirschner said that children coping with such news do so in different ways depending on where they are developmentally in their own lives.

Edwards' second-oldest daughter Emma, suggests Kirschner, might have the hardest time dealing with her father's announcement because she is on the edge of adolescence, a time of turmoil for many pre-teens.

"It's a period where it's natural to feel kind of embarrassed about your parents and what's going on with them and when a child's peer group becomes more important for approval," said Kirschner. "With this in the news, chances are she might feel ostracized or different and that could lead to issues of self-esteem."

"Sometimes you see children, especially in the adolescence age group, conflict with the parent who is causing the problem," said Kirschner. "It could be arguments or acting out of doing poorly in school."

As for the Edwards' youngest child, Jack, Kirschner says that he may actually be affected least by his father's public admission of paternity. The acknowledgement came after repeated denials and at a time when his wife is battling cancer.