The purpose of this study was to examine reasons for living in young adults (17 to 24) from divorced and non-divorced homes. Participants included 281 individuals (128 men, 153 women). Eighty-nine subjects were reared in divorced homes. The Reasons for Living Inventory, a Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire with items to assess age, gender, parental marital status, and various questions related to being reared in a divorced home were administered to all participants. Results of the study revealed a main effect for suicide ideation status on the total score of the RFL, with non-ideators reporting significantly higher reasons for living than ideators. No main effects were found for gender or parent marital status. Thus, the adaptive cognitive characteristics which are measured by the RFL were no different in young adults who were reared in divorced homes when compared to those reared in non-divorced homes.

This thesis has examined what long-term psychological and neurological effects that are apparent in children and adults who have experienced parental divorce. It was predicted that significantly more children and adult children from divorced families would have increased symptoms of mental disorders than children and adult children from married homes e.g., anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It was further predicted that parental divorce would negatively affect the neurological system in the offspring. The correlation between children of divorce and negative neurological effects was not found to be true. However, adult children of divorce have significantly lower baseline cortisol levels compared to adult children of marriage. Dysregulated cortisol levels are highly associated with the development of e.g., anxiety, depression, and brain damage. Parental divorce did not only influence how secretion of the hormone cortisol is regulated within adult children of divorce, but how both children and adult children of divorce psychologically adapt post-divorce. Children of divorce have for instance lower general well-being, more symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem, and feel more stress than children of marriage. Adult children of divorce are more likely to experience marital discord, getting divorced themselves, anxiety and depression, lower academic performance, and substance abuse, etc. The result of the thesis suggests that children and adult children from divorced families are negatively affected, both psychologically and neurologically, regardless of age. Parental divorce and supplementary effects make it more likely for children and adult children to experience more symptoms of mental disorders.

This thesis has examined what long-term psychological and neurological effects that are apparent in children and adults who have experienced parental divorce. It was predicted that significantly more children and adult children from divorced families would have increased symptoms of mental disorders than children and adult children from married homes e.g., anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It was further predicted that parental divorce would negatively affect the neurological system in the offspring. The correlation between children of divorce and negative neurological effects was not found to be true. However, adult children of divorce have significantly lower baseline cortisol levels compared to adult children of marriage. Dysregulated cortisol levels are highly associated with the development of e.g., anxiety, depression, and brain damage. Parental divorce did not only influence how secretion of the hormone cortisol is regulated within adult children of divorce, but how both children and adult children of divorce psychologically adapt postdivorce. Children of divorce have for instance lower general well-being, more symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem, and feel more stress than children of marriage. Adult children of divorce are more likely to experience marital discord, getting divorced themselves, anxiety and depression, lower academic performance, and substance abuse, etc. The result of the thesis suggests that children and adult children from divorced families are negatively affected, both psychologically and neurologically, regardless of age. Parental divorce and supplementary effects make it more likely for children and adult children to experience more symptoms of mental disorders.

Įsipareigojimas yra sudėtingas, įvairiai suprantamas ir patiriamas fenomenas. Darbe bandoma išsiaiškinti, kaip įsipareigojimus poroje supranta, patiria jauni suaugę, kurie patyrė tėvų skyrybas. Kitų šalių atliekami tyrimais rodo, jog suaugę skyrybų vaikai (toliau – SSV) išmoksta tokių elgesio modelių šeimoje, kurie neparemia poros abipusių intymių ryšių kūrimo. Pasak vienų autorių, SSV pasiekia savo ankstyvąją brandą, sunerimę dėl meilės, įsipareigojimų ir santuokos, nes bijo nesėkmės ir sužeidimo. Daugelis negali pradėti santykių, nes jų atstūmimo baimė tokia stipri, jog jie gali ilgus metus vengti artimų santykių.Tuo tarpu kiti teigia, jog SSV sukuria santuokas anksčiau nei jauni suaugę, kurių tėvai kartu gyvena. Šiame darbe buvo siekiama išsiaiškinti kaip tyrimo dalyviai patyrę tėvų skyrybas išgyvena įsipareigojimo patyrimą bei apibrėžti, kaip patiriamas ir suprantamas įsipareigojimas poros santykiuose, jaunų suaugusių, kurių tėvai išsiskyrę. Tyrime dalyvavo 8 tyrimo dalyviai (4 moterys, 4 vyrai), kurių aprašyti įsipareigojimo patyrimo išgyvenimai buvo analizuojami fenomenologinės analizės pagal A.Giorgi metodu. Iš 8 sudarytų specifinių situacinių įsipareigojimo patyrimo poros santykiuose apibrėžimų buvo suformuluotas galutinis bendras fenomeno apibrėžimas. Įsipareigojimo patyrimas apibrėžtas kaip procesas. Galutinis bendras apibrėžimas atskleidžia, kad įsipareigojimo patyrimas – psichologinė būsena, kai jausmų kaitoje priimami ir įgyvendinami sprendimai, siekiant santykių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The phenomenon of commitments is complex, variously perceived and experienced. In this study it is trying to explain how Adult Children of Divorce (ACOD) perceive and experience commitments in Couple Relations. Other countries researches show that ACOD have learned in the family the behaviour‘s models which do not support the development of reciprocal, close and intimate couple relations. According to some authors, ACOD reach their early adolescence with anxiety about love, commitments and marriage, because they are afraid of the failure and wounds. Most of them can not begin the relationships because the fear of alienation is so strong that they might avoid close relations for a long time. Whereas another authors say that ACOD take in marriages earlier than adult children from intact families. The goal of the present research is to reveal in what way the phenomenon is experienced by particular individuals and what is the unique experience of commitments in couple relations ACOD in each concrete case. Eight Adult Children of Divorce (4 women, 4men) who have the partners participated in the study. The method of phenomenological analysis of A.Giorgi was applied in the study. Eight specific situational definitions of the phenomenon were defined. The total final definition of the experience of commitment in Couples relationships of Adult Children of Divorce was formulated with the reference to these specific definitions. The experience of commitments in Couple’s Relations is... [to full text]

While a plethora of studies have examined the effects of divorce on children, fewer have looked at young adults who have experienced parental divorce after they were 18 years of age, and even fewer have examined the experiences of Black American adult children. Using concepts from Social Identity Theory, the goal of this study was to understand the experiences of Black adult children whose parents have divorced and the phenomenon of their self-perception based on family identity. This was a phenomenological study conducted through guided face-to-face interviews and utilizing Photovoice with four Black adult children of divorce, whose parents divorced after they were 18 years old. The data collected from narrative interviews and photographs through this study were analyzed using narrative and visual content analysis. Findings were that adult children who are emerging as adults with their identity struggle to reidentify themselves, their familial relations not only with their divorced parents, but even more so with their siblings; where relationships are also impacted. This study contributes to social change by identifying the needs of this population at an important time in their lives. Therapists, universities, and communities may use this study to better support Black adult children of divorce of American descent.

In this study, I present grounded-theory analyses of the decision-making process surrounding divorce or reconciliation based on in-depth interviews with 31 individuals thinking about divorce. The overall model of the divorce decision-making process included negative experiences leading to a bad relationship or an unsustainable marriage, the wilderness crossroads, the vast wilderness, and a development of an exit strategy. Repair attempts that were made are what helped the couple move towards a sustainable marriage or closer to divorce. The findings of the present study suggest that the decision-making process to divorce or reconcile can be a chaotic and confusing one—a wilderness—yet the participants sensed that it was necessary for themselves and others to endure this process before leaving the vast wilderness. The study discovered that a bad relationship does not present a straightforward path to divorce because the marriage has its own characteristics and considerations apart from the relationship. Within the vast wilderness there emerged seven key considerations in the decision-making process, namely: (1) the emotional and physical impact (on self); (2) children; (3) friendship and positive memories with spouse; (4) religion, prayer and hope; (5) commitment to marriage; (6) social impact and support of family and friends; and (7) finances. These considerations were focused on the marriage and were conceptually distinct from the romantic relationship of the couple. Marriage considerations were more salient and important than considerations of the spousal relationship, and they were crucial in the decision-making process to stay married or to divorce. I concluded by discussing implications of the study for individuals, clinicians, policy makers, and researchers.

A great deal of the existing literature on parental divorce focuses on the negative influences it has on children and young adults in regards to such areas as their relationships (romantic and familial) and their academic standing. The implications of such research are that parental divorce will always bring harm to families and, consequentially, should be avoided for the sake of the children's wellbeing. What is often missing from this research is a focus on the potential positive outcomes of parental divorce. The intent of this thesis is to explore the effects of parental divorce on young adults' ability to form and maintain romantic relationships, focusing on the positive outcomes of parental divorce on young adults and seeking to answer the question of whether or not young adults can actually benefit from their parents' divorce. By surveying a sample of 233 students from divorced and intact families from a large university on their experiences with parental divorce and/or romantic relationships, in conjunction with face to face interviews, the current study provides a deeper insight into the social factors that help define divorce as positive and explores the effects of family structure, gender of child, economic situation, and pre-existing parental conflict on young adults of divorced parents. Findings suggest that these young adults do experience positive outcomes after the divorce and that these outcomes are dependent on a variety of familial and social factors that shape the divorce experience.

The aim of the research study was to examine the marital attitudes of students from divorced, intact and single parent families. Most of these students were in the intimacy versus isolation developmental phase. During this phase young adults seek to form an intimate relationship with another person, but may fear intimacy or may not want to give up their independence and may experience loneliness and isolation instead. It was thus important to conduct the study since some of the students were at a developmental stage in which they might have been dealing with intimate relationship issues. Given the focus of international studies on the marital attitudes of students from intact and divorced families, it was considered important to include, in the comparison, students from single parent families. A survey research design was used as a broad methodological framework and Bowen's family systems theory was used as a theoretical framework. A convenient sampling method was used to select a sample of 209 participants from the Community and Health Science Faculty. A Marital Attitude Scale and a questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analyzed by means of basic descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, T-Test and Mann Whitney U-Test. Results showed that students&rsquo / parental marital status (married, divorced, single) had no influence on their attitudes towards marriage. Generally, the students showed positive attitudes towardsmarriage. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference among different racial groups.<br /> <br /> The results suggest that except for race, there was no statistically significant difference on the marital attitudes when compared on such variables as gender, religion and age. Although the marital attitudes of participants were generally positive among the different racial groups, participants from the Black community had less positive marital attitudes when compared with their Coloured, Indian and White counterparts. Participants from the Coloured community also had less positive marital attitudes when compared<br /> to their counterparts from the Indian and White communities. The results of this study show that participants had relative positive attitudes towards marriage and that these attitudes did not differ according to parental status.

The aim of the research study was to examine the marital attitudes of students from divorced, intact and single parent families. Most of these students were in the intimacy versus isolation developmental phase. During this phase young adults seek to form an intimate relationship with another person, but may fear intimacy or may not want to give up their independence and may experience loneliness and isolation instead. It was thus important to conduct the study since some of the students were at a developmental stage in which they might have been dealing with intimate relationship issues. Given the focus of international studies on the marital attitudes of students from intact and divorced families, it was considered important to include, in the comparison, students from single parent families. A survey research design was used as a broad methodological framework and Bowen's family systems theory was used as a theoretical framework. A convenient sampling method was used to select a sample of 209 participants from the Community and Health Science Faculty. A Marital Attitude Scale and a questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analyzed by means of basic descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, T-Test and Mann Whitney U-Test. Results showed that students&rsquo / parental marital status (married, divorced, single) had no influence on their attitudes towards marriage. Generally, the students showed positive attitudes towardsmarriage. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference among different racial groups.<br /> <br /> The results suggest that except for race, there was no statistically significant difference on the marital attitudes when compared on such variables as gender, religion and age. Although the marital attitudes of participants were generally positive among the different racial groups, participants from the Black community had less positive marital attitudes when compared with their Coloured, Indian and White counterparts. Participants from the Coloured community also had less positive marital attitudes when compared<br /> to their counterparts from the Indian and White communities. The results of this study show that participants had relative positive attitudes towards marriage and that these attitudes did not differ according to parental status.

This exploratory study was written with the intent to inform educators of the impact that divorce may have on children, of possible factors contributing to the resiliency in children of divorce, and of possible intervention efforts on the part of educators. An extensive literature review presented various perspectives from researchers, authors, and theorists. Developmental theorists such as Erickson were paralleled with empirical evidence collected by researchers such as Wallerstein. Studies including a meta-analysis by Amato (2001) were presented in discussions of the possible outcomes for children of divorce. Long-term outcomes were considered from the perspective of a sociologist and a journalist. Positive parenting skills were offered by experts such as Brooks (2005). A qualitative study of the reflective experiences of adult children of divorced parents was also initiated to determine the accuracy of the literature review and to encourage further research in this area. This thesis involved a self-administered survey of eleven adult children of divorce, while analysis of the survey data utilized a modified form of Grounded Theory. <p>Findings from the survey and the literature review demonstrated the need for relevant educational programs and professional development of educators. It also revealed that programming for parents should include significant elements of motivational and transfer-of-learning techniques, and that programs promoting positive reflective thought are needed for adults emerging from childhood divorce experiences. <p>The descriptions of emotions and behaviours disclosed by the participants of the survey were compelling and direct, offering convincing insight into the impact of parental divorce. Participants indicated that parents, and other significant individuals, did not understand what they were feeling. Most participants could recall individuals or groups that did intervene positively in their lives; one mention was made of teacher concern about possible depression. The participants offered insight into positive and negative parental behaviours, and their reflective discussions suggested that one significant outcome of parental divorce was the impact it had on the parent/child relationship, as well as the suggestion that a difficult transition into adult relationships was often a result of this experience. Although significant research has been accomplished on the short-term impact on child development, investigation into the long-term outcomes of parental divorce has received minimal attention, possibly making it difficult for educators to have concrete data to draw upon. <p>The research strongly suggested that there may be a population of individuals that could benefit from educational programs that focus upon their experience as children of divorce. It is my conclusion that an appropriate educational context of constructive reflection and support can contribute positively to the well-being and quality of life for children of divorce.