A descriptive research methodology based on the principles of symbolic interactionism was employed to explore and explicate the meaning of experience of single-parenting with adolescents. Prior research has indicated that single-mothers experience more psychological and emotional problems than two-parent mothers, and that adolescents from single-parent families have more behavioural, emotional, and academic problems than adolescents from two-parent families. However, recent studies have reported that family processes, such as parent-adolescent relationships and parenting styles, rather than the family form itself are more strongly related to how adolescents adapt in single-parent families. As well, the meaning of the economic, social, and family challenges faced by single-parents affects their psychological well-being and their parenting abilities. Single-parents (n=16) were interviewed twice using an interview guide which comprised the basic conceptual domains of the study. These domains were challenges to single-parents and their families, supports needed, family structures and processes, parenting issues, parents' perceptions of their adolescents' adjustment, and the single-parent "self". Other data sources were utilized to triangulate the data to add depth and credibility. Means of triangulation included a focus group (n=10), interviews with adolescents (n=6), and interviews with key informants (n=5) who encounter a broad range of single-parent families through their professional affiliations. Theoretical and developmental perspectives drawn upon to inform and organize the data were Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model, Kegan's constructive-developmental theory, and Baumrind's typology of parenting styles. The common challenges experienced by the participants identified by a thematic analysis of the data were increased responsibilities, means of coping with increased demands, the other parent, social isolation, negative social expectations, financial constraints, and extenuating circumstances related to adolescents' learning, behavioural, or health problems. The challenges that single-parents face and their resources available to buffer the effects of these challenges can be conceptualized using Bronfenbrenner's social-ecological model. This transactional model enables the assessment of families in relation to challenges and supports from both proximal and distal environments which may affect the families' strengths, vulnerabilities, and development. The participants described a process of development through which they redefined their roles and relationships, reorganized their families' internal and external supports, and re-established a social role. Resolution of these processes led to a transformation of their identities and a more differentiated way of constructing meaning of their situation as single-parents. This transformation affected the parents' capability to mediate their families' functioning and to meet the culture's demands of parents (Kegan, 1994), for example to manage family boundaries, set limits, and facilitate development. The results have implications for how we understand single-parent families. The more positive portrait of single-parenting painted by these participants illustrated that despite challenges and risks, single-parent families are a viable family form capable of raising adolescents effectively. Prevention of such problems as adolescent alienation and risk lie in strengthening supportive family relationships and community networks to counterbalance the impact of ongoing challenges. Clinical approaches should assist single-parents to realign family roles and structures, to integrate their internal and external resources, and to develop a positive single-parent identity. Affirmation of the single-parent family as a legitimate and viable family form enables single-parents to challenge negative stereotypes that can minimize their ability to function effectively. Recommendations for further research include exploration of the adolescents' perspectives of growing up in a single-parent family, and also exploration of single-fathers' perspectives. / Graduate

M.A. (Social Work) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

ORS 107.100 gives the court broad powers to secure the "best interests" of minor children as third parties to a divorce. Further, the Oregon Supreme Court has ruled in Tingen vs. Tingen that the best interests of a minor child involve a complex constellation of factors pertaining to the parents, the environment, and the adjustment of the child. It has been assumed in case law that "reasonable visitation" of the minor child by the non-custodial parent is usually in the best interests of the child and is a right" of the non-custodial parent. Most judges order reasonable visitation as part of the divorce decree, especially in the vast number of default decrees. In some instances, specific visitation arrangements are ordered and custody counseling frequently helps to develop an acceptable visitation plan. The fact is, however, that little is known about reasonable visitation; the patterns which exist, the decision making process, and the impact of visitation on the best interests of the minor child. The present exploratory study examined the feasibility of selecting and interviewing a representative sample of divorced parents with minor children in order to increase our understanding of visitation by the non-custodial parent. Two sampling studies were carried out, one in the Portland metropolitan area and one in Benton County. It was found that a significant sampling bias developed in contacting divorced parents when telephone listings provided the main system for tracing subjects. This bias was less pronounced for recent divorces. Once actual contact was made with subjects, they tended to be cooperative in agreeing to be interviewed. Of those who agreed, twenty-four were selected to participate in a semi structured interview concerning visitation. It was determined on this admittedly small and biased sample, that "frequent" visitation meant about "once a week" for recently divorced couples; "twice a month", for those divorced three to five years. A striking finding was that the minor child played a significant role in determining the frequency and activities of visitation starting at about eight years of age and universally by ten years of age. There appeared to be more strife in the visitation arrangements of recently divorced parents, some of whom were still deeply involved in bids for reconciliation or vindictiveness. The paper cautions against the assumption that promoting visitation is in the best interests of the minor child. Our state of knowledge counsels modesty in our advice. In regard to further research, two broad negative conclusions were reached: a) telephone listings do not provide a feasible means of securing a representative sample; b) a cross-sectional study involving parents divorced several years, introduces an extreme sample bias. It is recommended that a short term longitudinal strategy to be followed, possibly with cases selected from the court's docket prior to the divorce decree. A one-year longitudinal study would provide significant range of visitation patterns and opportunity to evaluate the impact of remarriage on visitation in a substantial number of cases. It would be important to include some systematic description of the minor child’s adjustment in order to relate visitation to the criterion of the "best interests" of the child.

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The major purpose of this research was to test the circumplex model of family functioning as a possible source of variance in children's coping during the transitional period following parental divorce. The dimensions of cohesion (family closeness) and adaptability (family flexibility) theoretically incorporate 14 of the 18 factors identified by previous researchers to be related to more or less effective coping. The remaining four factors were controlled statistically. The sample of 89 single parent, female headed households was drawn from court records of families who had been divorced for two months, one year and two years. The method of sample selection is recommended in future research, since it resulted in a more representative sample than that of previous researchers. Coping among the children (ages 6-16) was measured by the mother's report of problem behaviors (internal and external) and social competency scores on the Achenbach Child Behavior Profile. Family interaction patterns were measured using a modified version of the FACES self report measure. Variables of cohesion, adaptability, time since divorce, income, age and sex were hypothesized to be related to child behavior problems and social competency, using a regression model. Social desirability was controlled statistically. Cohesion explained a statistically significant portion of the variance for problem behaviors, particularly internal problems (i.e., withdrawal, somatic symptoms, anxious behavior). Income was an important contributor to variation with all the coping measures. However, the regression models did not provide support for the moderate versus extreme levels of cohesion and adaptability which had been hypothesized in the circumplex model. But, a Chi Square test of independence, excluding families with high social desirability scores, did provide some support for the continued testing of the circumplex model. A supplemental analysis of other variables was conducted. Family stressors such as moving, parent conflict, mothers' changes in employment and mothers' regularly dating were related to increased difficulties in coping. Enjoyment with visits with father was related to improved coping. Number of changes in child care arrangements and frequency of visits with the father were not related to coping. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Divorce is a stressful experience for ndividuals, especially children, who are still in the school age or adolescent development phase. It is often associated with loss, such as the loss of a parent in the home, and in some cases loss of financial stability. The primary aim of this study was to determine what support systems and coping strategies South African children of divorce make use of. The secondary aims were to investigate whether there are any age or gender differences with regard to coping strategies as well as support systems, and to investigate which support systems are perceived to be helpful and why certain support systems are not utilized. The study made use of a cross-sectional design and a sample of 41 South African children. Support systems were measured with a semi-structured questionnaire (Support Systems Questionnaire) that was developed based on a previous study conducted by Braude and Francisco-La Grange (1993). Children’s use of coping strategies was measured with the Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist – 3rd Revision (CCSC-R3). Results indicate that children make use of avoidance coping strategies most often, followed by active coping strategies and support coping strategies. The majority of the children named the mother as the most helpful source of support after the divorce. Findings show certain age and gender differences in the support systems used by the children. Older children (13- to-17-year-old) were more likely to speak to adults other than their parents about the divorce than younger children (8- to- 12-year-old). Girls were more likely than boys to confide in their friends, psychologists and adults other than their parents about the divorce. There were no age or gender differences regarding the three main coping strategies used by the children (active coping, avoidant coping and support coping). There were, however, differences regarding the more specific coping strategies. Younger children were more likely than older children to use wishful thinking as a coping strategy. They also made more use of parents for support for problem solving and support for feelings than did adolescents. All of the children in the sample made some effort to cope with their problems and had some form of support system.

The primary purpose of the study was the design and assessment of an intervention programme that seeks to help children cope with the crisis of divorce. The intervention was named the Kids in Divorce (KID) programme and is a short-term, developmentally appropriate intervention, consisting o f 10 sessions, aimed primarily at helping the pre-adolescent child. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether children receiving the intervention showed significant improvements in their emotional and attitudinal coping responses to divorce, as meausuredby the Family1 Story Test (FST) and the Kids in Divorce (KID) questionnaire (a self-designed measure). A pilot study was done on the KID questionnaire in order to, make the necessary changes, before using the questionnaire'for the study. 3 A total of 42 pupils, from schools in th | Eldoradopark 'coloured' community participated in the study. A pre and post test experimental-iBontrol research design was used in the study, The experimental and control groups consisted of 21 children \ each. \ . J r . Results of the study reflected significant improvements measures for the experimental group, which provides strong'cm pirical^nd^^.for'S'ie usefulness of a short-,erm, children cope with parental divorce.