Tom and Katie's Divorce Shaping Into Battle Over Suri
July 3, 2012— -- Whatever is behind Katie Holmes' decision to divorce husband Tom Cruise and seek full custody of their daughter, Suri, the 6-year-old girl will likely be the one most affected by the proceedings in the weeks to come.
"I think it will be absolutely traumatic," clinical psychologist Judy Kuriansky, also known as Dr. Judy from her radio show, told ABCNews.com. "She's been doted on, absolutely indulged, by both her parents. But they come as a packaged team to her, and splitting them will be very traumatic. I suspect she will go through a lot of acting out."
Reps for Holmes, 33, and Cruise, who turned 50 today, did not immediately respond to ABCNews.com's requests for comment. In previous statements, however, both stars have emphasized they were keeping the children's interests -- including those of Suri's half-siblings, Connor and Isabella -- at heart.
In a statement, New Jersey divorce attorney Jonathan W. Wolfe, who is representing Holmes in the divorce, said, "This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family. Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest."
A spokeswoman for Cruise said, "Kate has filed for divorce, and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy to work this out."
Photos: Tom and Katie Before Split
Privacy may be the reason Holmes filed for divorce in New York, where divorce files are sealed from the public.
Nonetheless, it will be difficult for Holmes to shield Suri completely from the white-hot glare of the media, which has already documented Suri's every development, from holding on to her bottle and pacifier well past toddlerhood to her expensive designer wardrobe. Moreover, it will be nearly impossible for Suri to avoid seeing her parents' divorce splashed across magazines and newspapers.
"This isn't going to end any time soon," Us Weekly reporter Jennifer Peros told ABCNews.com. "Things can get really messy."
Little Suri isn't the only one likely to suffer the fallout of her parents' divorce, though. Cruise's two other children, Connor Cruise, 17, and Isabella Cruise, 19, with second wife Nicole Kidman, moved in with Cruise and Holmes, as part of a shared custody arrangement, after the two married five years ago, following a year-long whirlwind courtship.
"This is obviously the second time they have to deal with this," Peros said.
A close confidant of Connor told the magazine that Connor is "devastated." "Connor got really close to Katie and Suri. He's been in Iceland with Tom. Connor is definitely taking it hard," Peros said.
Peros said Isabella appears to be less affected, according to the magazine's source. "Bella has somewhat distanced herself from Katie and Tom," Peros said. "She's kind of rebelling in some ways. Any teenage girl with a stepmother is going to have differences."
As for the differences between Cruise and Holmes that have led to their divorce, much of the speculation centers on Cruise's religion, Scientology. Holmes seemed to embrace Scientology early on in their relationship, and even had a Scientology ceremony at their wedding. Now, she has petitioned for full custody of their daughter.
