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

This study investigated the adult child's role as a provider of social support to divorced parents. Each of the 230 randomly-selected individuals participating in the survey had been divorced after 19 or more years of marriage and had at least one child over age 18. Participants ranged in age from 36 to 72 and had been married an average of 28 years prior to divorce. Respondents were asked to indicate the types and amounts of support provided by children in two major areas: instrumental aid (e.g., advice, services, financial assistance) and socioemotional aid. The pattern of support varied according to sex of the parent and the sex of the child. Mothers received significantly more support than fathers in all four categories: advice, services, financial assistance, and socioemotional aid. Sons and daughters did not differ significantly with regard to frequency of provision of advice or financial aid. However, sons provided significantly more services, and daughters provided significantly more socioemotional aid. Circumstances connected with filial provision of support--opportunity, parental expectation of aid, parental financial need, parental health and morale, competing role responsibilities of the child, and quality of the parent-child relationship--were analyzed. Multiple regression was used to specify the relationship between total support received and seven independent variables: frequency of contact, sex of respondent, emotional closeness, filial expectations, frequency of telephoning, sidetaking-behavior, and financial strain. These variables explained 52% of the variance in total support. Mothers were more likely than fathers to rank children as the most helpful source of support during the divorce process: 42.6% of mothers, as compared to 18.3% of fathers ranked children as the most helpful. Mothers ranked children higher than all other sources of support; fathers, on the other hand, ranked their friends and their parents ahead of their children with respect to support provided during the divorce period. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of divorce on the will and motivation of the child in the middle childhood phase. Instruments are identified for adaptation and use in determining the effect of divorce. In addition, ways of equipping the educational psychologist to facilitate the child's adjustment during and after the divorce process are examined. A literature study was undertaken to determine the theoretical context of the effect of divorce. A study was also undertaken of the cognitive development of the child in the middle childhood phase, which could shed some light on the reactions of the child during the divorce of his or her parents. The results of the empirical investigation showed that the child in the middle childhood phase can exhibit intrinsic motivation during the divorce process. It is, however, the external factors accompanying divorce that could cause the child to display a reduced will or motivation. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Every year, a significant number of children are being traumatized by the divorce of their parents. The aim of this study was to provide a guideline for Gestalt play therapists to enhance the resilience of children in middle childhood who have been traumatized by the divorce of their parents. To achieve this goal, the researcher made use of both the qualitative and the quantitative method of data collection. Data were collected by means of a literature study, four case studies, a semistructured interview and two questionares. The integration of the data collected through the empirical investigation enabled the researcher to compile a guideline to assist Gestalt play therapists in enhancing the resilience of children in middle childhood, traumatized by the divorce of their parents. By utilizing this guideline, Gestalt play therapists can assist children to overcome the damaging effects of the divorce. Simultaneously, the children are being empowered with skills enabling them to successfully deal with future setbacks. / 'n Beduidende aantal kinders word jaarliks getraumatiseer weens die egskeiding van hul ouers. Die doel vir die studie was om 'n riglyn vir Gestaltspelterapeute saam te stel waarvolgens die emosionele veerkragtigheid van die egskeidingsgetraumatiseerde kind in die middelkinderjare bevorder kan word. Ten einde bogenoemde doel te bereik het die navorser inligting ingesamel aan die hand van sowel die kwalitatiewe as die kwantitatiewe benadering. Inligting is ingesamel deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie, vier gevallestudies, 'n semigestruktureerde onderhoud en twee vraelyste. Vanuit die prosessering en integrering van bevindinge tydens die empiriese ondersoek verkry, is 'n riglyn vir Gestaltspelterapeute saamgestel. Deur die riglyn te benut kan Gestaltspelterapeute egskeidingsgetraumatiseerde kinders help om die skadelike uitwerking van egskeiding te oorkom. Tegelyk word die kinders ook met vaardighede bemagtig wat hulle toerus om toekomstige teleurstelling, teenspoed en trauma effektief te hanteer. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

This study aims to present an alternative framework with which to view the phenomenon of parental divorce and its perceived consequences for adult children of divorce in committed relationships. Research done within the traditional Newtonian framework is reviewed and its limitations explicated. The epistemological presuppositions of the new epistemology are presented along with their implications for conducting research. The importance of description as research methodology is emphasised. Written descriptions from various adult children of divorce are presented. Metadescriptions, by the author, are presented. These metadescriptions, based on the presuppositions of the new epistemology, highlight the value of describing the patterns of organisation which characterise the committed relationships of adult children of divorce. It is concluded that an alternative approach, based on the new epistemology, enlarges our understanding of the adult child of divorce within the context of a committed relationship. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of divorce on the will and motivation of the child in the middle childhood phase. Instruments are identified for adaptation and use in determining the effect of divorce. In addition, ways of equipping the educational psychologist to facilitate the child's adjustment during and after the divorce process are examined. A literature study was undertaken to determine the theoretical context of the effect of divorce. A study was also undertaken of the cognitive development of the child in the middle childhood phase, which could shed some light on the reactions of the child during the divorce of his or her parents. The results of the empirical investigation showed that the child in the middle childhood phase can exhibit intrinsic motivation during the divorce process. It is, however, the external factors accompanying divorce that could cause the child to display a reduced will or motivation. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)