The thesis deals with the issue of possible roles that children may play due to a pre- divorce behaviour of their parents and a divorce and a post-divorce situation. The theme of these roles, resp. their list and description of some of them are to varying degrees part of almost every publication focused on the topic of divorce, or the topic of children in it. However, none of these publications addresses this issue in sufficient depth and detail. The theoretical part of the work introduces the knowledge on this topic published so far and creates a new theoretical system, resp. organization of undesirable roles of children in divorce and post-divorce situations. The empirical work then describes a qualitative survey focused on the identification of roles in the pre-divorce and especially the divorce and post-divorce situation. 14 respondents participated in this survey. The analysis of their statements further developed and modified the created theoretical system. It also added practical examples, putting this whole theoretical concept into a practical context. Keywords divorce, role of a child, pre-divorce situation, post-divorce situation

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This study investigates the role of resilience in women coping with the life transition of divorce. Five women were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of resilience during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In addition, the usefulness of formal divorce support groups to enhance resilience was examined. It was found that the most important aspects of resilience as reported by the women were social support; spirituality; personality traits such as optimism, courage and resourcefulness; an orientation toward the future; and competence/mastery of one's environment (including mastery of one's thoughts and emotions). It appeared that resilience facilitated adjustment in several ways; notably in providing a sense of purpose, control and competence resulting in an experience of personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity and greater self-determination through the process of divorce. Support groups might be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness; with skills development such as emotion regulation and cognitive techniques like reframing; as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community of social support where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for divorce groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / D.Litt. (Psychology)

This study investigates the role of resilience in women coping with the life transition of divorce. Five women were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of resilience during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In addition, the usefulness of formal divorce support groups to enhance resilience was examined. It was found that the most important aspects of resilience as reported by the women were social support; spirituality; personality traits such as optimism, courage and resourcefulness; an orientation toward the future; and competence/mastery of one's environment (including mastery of one's thoughts and emotions). It appeared that resilience facilitated adjustment in several ways; notably in providing a sense of purpose, control and competence resulting in an experience of personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity and greater self-determination through the process of divorce. Support groups might be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness; with skills development such as emotion regulation and cognitive techniques like reframing; as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community of social support where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for divorce groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / D.Litt. (Psychology)

L’objet de cette thèse est d’étudier « La confrontation de la dissolution du lien conjugal et ses effets entre les États maghrébins et les États européens francophones (France et Belgique) ». Les difficultés de coordination des systèmes islamiques et européens de droit international privé proviennent de l’écart entre leurs législations relatives au statut personnel et au droit de la famille. En droit musulman, les matières du statut personnel sont solidaires des donnés religieuses. Les ressortissants maghrébins établis dans des pays européens se retrouvent souvent confrontés au croisement du système juridique maghrébin et celui de leur pays d’accueil.<p>S’il est un domaine où se heurtent des visions difficilement conciliables entre l’Europe et certains pays musulmans, c’est bien celui du mariage mixte et particulièrement celui de la répudiation. Il faut souligner que le problème perdure depuis plus de vingt ans.<p>Toutefois un grand nombre de ressortissants Marocains réside en Belgique ce qui conduit inévitablement à ce que des problèmes liés à la dissolution de leur mariage se posent. A ces difficultés viennent s’ajouter les problèmes de conflits de lois. Cette étude a donc tenté de dégager les caractéristiques des différents systèmes étudiés et de montrer les divergences qu’ils comportent en terme de méthodes utilisées dans le règlement des conséquences du divorce ou de répudiation. <p>La présence d’une communauté immigrée de statut personnel musulman et la rencontre de l’ordre juridique européen avec ce phénomène, posent l’épineux problème de l’harmonisation de deux systèmes juridiques fondamentalement différents et a ainsi pu être qualifié de « conflit de civilisations ». Ce qui permet une vue globale du sujet.<p>Summary: The purpose of this thesis is to study the dissolution of a marriage tie between North African states and European French speaking states, and what this dissolution means in term of confrontation on both sides concerning the juridic systems european and islamic. The difficulties of coordination between the islamic way of life and the international law are the result of divergence relating with personal status and family right. In the islamic law, personal status and religious faith are closely interlinked. Moroccan nationals who step up house in an european country are confronted with the law of the Maghreb and the law of the country witch welcomes them.<p><p>Mixed marriages and in particularly in a case of repudiations are a sphere where european nations and some muslim nations don’t see things in the same way. One has to emphasize that these problems have been enduring for over tweenty years. A great numbers of Morocans lives in Belgium which leads to difficulties if their marriages have to be dissolved. Over these difficulties problems of laws conflicts are added. This study have tried to show the characteristics of these systems and the different way to solve the consequences of the divorce or of the repudiation. The presence of an immigrated community of personal muslim status and the encounter of the juridic european system with this phenomenon set the acute issue of the harmonization of two juridics systems deeply different. This can be described as a “conflict of civilisations”. This allows a broad view of the subject<p><p> / Doctorat en droit / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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.

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.

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 thesis "Shared Custody - Advantages and Disadvantages" focuses on joint custody as one of post-divorce arrangements. The theoretical part summarizes important position of a family in child's life, the position of parents and children in the time of divorce, and covers shared custody after divorce. It points out pros and cons of shared custody in more details and summarizes presumptions for its successful implementation. The survey represents opinions of professionals on shared custody, its pros and cons as well as important criteria such as suitable time interval and suitable child's age for joint custody. In addition, personal experience case studies are added for better illustration. The aim of the thesis is to point out aspects that are necessary to focus on while choosing this type of post-divorce arrangement.