Experience of young adults from divorced families

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the way in which the effects of parental divorce surface during the developmental period of young adulthood. The aim of the study was to offer some insight into the long-term effects of parental divorce. Of particular interest was how the parent-child relationships in divorced homes foster personal identifications and how this affects the individual's ability to separate from the family of origin as well as the young adult's patterns of relating to others in intimate relationships. The design of the study was qualitative and data was collected through in-depth unstructured interviews (part of a therapeutic process) with three young adults who have experienced parental divorce. An intra-individual analysis of the information offered by each participant rendered an understanding of their phenomenological experience of parental divorce while an inter-individual analysis of their accounts permitted a discussion of common and contrasting themes and patterns. The findings indicate that divorce is a process that influences development and helps to shape individuals into the people they are today. This process includes negative and detrimental aspects but also provides ways in which individuals can alter and adjust these effects in a way that is meaningful and positive.


Health SA Gesondheid Vol.6(3) 2001: 75-86