Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-93) Also available in print.

M.A. (Clinical psychology) / A plethora of psychological research on the topic of divorce exists. The impact of parental divorce on the children, however, is much disputed in this literature. The present study‟s aim was to attempt to clarify this dilemma by describing the unique experiences of four adolescent males whose parents divorced when they were at a very young age. A qualitative research design was followed. Data was collected in the form of face-to-face interviews or „conversations‟ with the four respondents. Verbatim transcriptions of these conversations were then explored systematically from the hermeneutic tradition in order to understand the distinctive experiences of these four boys, from the time of their parents‟ divorce to the present. The findings from this exploration are in the form of various themes that were extrapolated from the transcriptions and clarified with reference to the existing findings in the literature. In addition, consistent with the hermeneutic tradition, co-construction of meaning was enhanced by the symbolic use of selected paintings. In summary, this study offers a description of four adolescent males‟ personal experiences of their parents‟ divorce, with the supplementary use of imagery and art in order to further enrich their subjective and often poignant narratives.

This thesis aims to assess the supporting role social networks provide to divorced Saudi women who face after divorce challenges. After reviewing the impact that online social networks have on Saudi society and the legal context of divorce in Saudi Arabia, this study explores key issues faced by divorced Saudi women using a qualitative approach. Upon reviewing the limited amounts of literature and following two methodological phases, the key findings are: (1) identifications of primary challenges faced by divorced Saudi women namely; social, economic, psychological, and legal issues; (2) extraction of themes based on each identified issue, leading to the identification of four qualitative models; and (3) assessment of the supporting role social networks have in the identified themes of each issue.

There is very little information in the literature on mothers without custody of their children. In an attempt to partially remedy this situation an exploratory study, based on in-depth interviews with mothers who voluntarily chose to live apart from their children, was conducted. The aim was to identify the factors facilitating and hindering adjustment for these women. Using a sample of 17 women who volunteered for the study, the critical incident technique was employed to gather data from the participants. The collected incidents were then grouped into categories and descriptive statements were formulated about each one. There were 212 critical incidents collected from the 17 participants. These incidents were grouped into 3 main categories and 15 sub-categories. The categories provide a concise and easily understood description of the facilitating and hindering factors affecting adjustment for non-custodial mothers. The reliability of the placement of items into the appropriate categories was tested by using four independent raters, using percentage of agreement as an index of reliability. Recommendations for supportive services and programs needed by, these women are offered. Therefore, the findings are useful for planning and implementing future programs for non-custodial mothers. As well, guidelines are presented for individual, family, and divorce mediation counsellors who find themselves working with this group of women. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

No description available.

No description available.

Divorce is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon in American society. Its occurrence is increasing both in absolute and relative numbers, and also in its involvement of minor children. As will be demonstrated below, very little is actually known about the process of divorce or about its impact on the members of the family. Of particular concern is the effect of divorce on the children invo1ved, and the decisions and practice of the divorcing parents regarding their subsequent parenting relationship to the children. The authors of this report intend to study a random sample of divorcing couples and to derive a descriptive analysis of their perceptions of the proper role of the noncustodial parent (usually the father) in regard to the child rearing process following separation and divorce. We will work with that portion of available data for which we have information from both parents in the divorcing family. Particular attention will be paid to issues of congruence or noncongruence in perceptions between the two members of the coparental couple (including each member's judgement of his/ her partner's perceptions of the issues. We believe that the ability of the divorcing parents to provide a stable and cooperative relationship in their parental roles is very important for the children to be assisted in adjusting to the divorce. Given this assumption the extent of congruence or noncongruence in the perceptions of the parents about the role of the noncustodial parent in postdivorce child rearing may be very important in determining the degree of cooperation between them and the subsequent ease of adjustment of the children to the new family role relationships. Our data will be taken from questionnaires and oral interviews with a random sample of divorcing couples, administered very soon after the official filing for the divorce. Longitudinal studies are planned to follow the subjects through the divorce process for as long as eighteen months after filing. These subsequent studies will not be reported here.

Using survey data from 219 divorced custodial mothers randomly selected from public court records, this research investigated variables which may contribute to increased attachment to a former spouse, postdivorce. A path analysis was conducted to determine the effects of the selected variables on attachment. The findings indicated that attachment was greater for women whose husbands had wanted the divorce, for those who had been married for a longer period of time, for those who were experiencing a difficult time with parenting, and for those who had better coparental relationships with their former spouses. The degree of hostility surrounding the divorce, current conflict between the former spouses, the custody arrangement, and the mother's satisfaction with financial support all had an indirect effect on attachment through their effects on conflict and the quality of the coparental relationship. Possible explanations for these findings as well as implications for therapy are discussed. / Ph. D.

Recent research on the effects of divorce indicates that the relationship between ex-spouses is a critical factor in the postdivorce adjustment of mothers, fathers, and children. In this study, guided by General Systems Theory and Ecological Theory, data from 225 divorced fathers was used to explore a set of selected variables which were predicted to affect the quality of their coparental relationships with former spouses. A standard multiple regression analysis revealed that a substantial amount of the variance in coparental relationships was explained by five of the eleven variables under investigation. Fathers who reported a positive coparental relationship with their ex-wives were 1) more satisfied with their custody arrangements, 2) more likely to blame themselves for the breakup of their marriage, 3) discussed fewer topics with their exwives, 4) had higher educational levels, and 5) had greater feelings of closeness to their children predivorce. Implications of the findings for future research and policy are discussed. / Master of Science