Syftet med studien är att utifrån barnets perspektiv förstå upplevelser kring föräldrarnas separation och dess betydelse för vuxenlivet. Utifrån en kvalitativ metod studeras vuxna skilsmässobarn och deras upplevda emotioner samt innebörd för den sociala identiteten. Studien baseras på tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta kvinnor och två män. Studiens resultat tyder på att barnet kan uppleva känslor av skuld och övergivenhet, men också lättad. Barnets positiva eller negativa upplevelse baseras på graden upplevda konflikter i hemmet och föräldrarnas hantering av separation. Samtliga informanter som uppger att separationen har haft inverkan på deras psykiska mående har upplevt hög grad av familjekonflikter och har en negativ upplevelse av separationen. Majoriteten av informanterna har upplevt konflikter i samband med föräldrarnas separation. / The aim of this study is to understand experiences regarding parental separation from a child’s perspective and the significance for adult life. Based on a qualitative method, adult children of divorce and their perceived emotions as well as the influence of social identity are studied. This study is based on ten semi-structured interviews with eight women and two men. The results of the study indicate that the child may experience feelings of guilt and abandonment, but also relief. The child’s positive or negative experience of the separation is based on the degree of conflict as well as the parent ́s handling. All informants who state that the separation had an effect on their mental health also experienced a high degree of family conflicts and have a negative experience of the separation. The majority of the informants have experience of conflicts due to the separation.

I became aware of the frequency of the traumatic effect of parental divorce on the lives of the children involved. My research intervention is investigating what value working with clay as therapeutic medium could have for young children from divorced homes. I used non-directive instruction to see whether it enabled children to relate and express their personal experiences more easily . Some children seemed hesitant about projecting their own emotions onto the clay models but, in the end, rich information and spontaneous communication was achieved. The analysis and interpretation of the data from the therapy sessions clearly showed the value of using clay as a therapeutic medium when working with children from divorced homes. By expressing and sharing feelings and emotions experienced during and after parental divorce, the participants indicated that it helped them to work through guilt and other issues, and to come to terms with the reality of the changes in their lives. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

I became aware of the frequency of the traumatic effect of parental divorce on the lives of the children involved. My research intervention is investigating what value working with clay as therapeutic medium could have for young children from divorced homes. I used non-directive instruction to see whether it enabled children to relate and express their personal experiences more easily . Some children seemed hesitant about projecting their own emotions onto the clay models but, in the end, rich information and spontaneous communication was achieved. The analysis and interpretation of the data from the therapy sessions clearly showed the value of using clay as a therapeutic medium when working with children from divorced homes. By expressing and sharing feelings and emotions experienced during and after parental divorce, the participants indicated that it helped them to work through guilt and other issues, and to come to terms with the reality of the changes in their lives. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)