A Phenomenological Study of Parental Estrangement

In the United States, the divorce rate is 40% to 50%, according to National Marriage and Divorce Rate Trends (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Gaining an understanding of the lived experience of parental estrangement for a child during the parental divorce was the goal of this study. For the 9 adult participants who experienced parental estrangement as children, each reported themes including anger, disappointment, isolation, control, and impact. In this study, the predominantly alienating parent was the custodial parent. The results indicated that it did not matter if the noncustodial parent lived down the street or several states away; the estrangement that developed was the same for each of them.     

Postdivorce Adjustment in Singapore: Factors,Themes, and Positive Growth

Although there is a fairly large literature on postdivorce adjustment in the United States, comparatively little research has been conducted on the topic in Singapore. In addition, the majority of research to date has focused on the negative impacts of divorce and has tended to ignore potential positive growth opportunities that might result from the experience. This study seeks to address this gap in the literature through a thematic analysis of interviews with divorcees in Singapore. Specifically, this study identifies factors contributing to positive postdivorce adjustments within the multicultural, multiethnic, and multireligious context found in Singapore. A review of participant responses identified 15 specific factors related to the potential for experiencing a positive postdivorce adjustment. Further review indicates that these factors can be grouped into 6 themes that could specifically inform counselors and other mental health professionals working in Singapore to assist with the adjustment process.     

Significant Family Dynamics Related to Postdivorce Adjustment in Parents and Children

ABSTRACT

This study concentrates on the postdivorce adjustment of parents and children in families with shared parenting time arrangements. Thirty divorcing parents with children aged 12 to 59 months old were interviewed using a semistructured telephone interview regarding their early experiences in the divorce process. Findings showed that work–family balance issues were related to postdivorce parental adjustment for mothers. Interparental hostility was related to child alienation and paternal overnight stays. Length of time since physical separation was related to number of overnight stays. These results shed light on the early experiences of families with young children going through the divorce process.     

Abused Latina Women's Perceptions of Their Postdivorce Adjustment

This qualitative study explores the postdivorce adjustment of battered Latina immigrants. Three focus groups were conducted. Data were analyzed utilizing a grounded theory approach. Five conceptual themes were unearthed including: (a) intimate partner violence (IPV) as the precipitator for divorce; (b) motivations for leaving; (c) the impact of the Latino culture on marriage, separation, and postdivorce; (d) immigration and other legal and social issues; and (e) postdivorce/post-IPV experiences. Implications for practice are drawn.     

Postdivorce Relationships in Families and Children's Psychosocial Adjustment

Divorced mothers and their school-aged children in 50 single-mother families and 37 stepfather families reported on mothers' ex-partner relationships, children's relationships with both parents, and children's well-being. A 2 (family structure) × 2 (gender) multivariate analysis of variance revealed a main effect of gender: Mothers with sons report higher levels of ex-partner relationship satisfaction. An interaction effect was also found: Boys in single-mother families report more acceptance and fewer conflicts than boys in stepfather families. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mother–ex-partner relationships are associated with children's problem behavior, whereas child–nonresidential father relationships are associated with positive aspects of children's well-being. The results indicate that family structure itself is not associated with child adjustment. What matters most is the quality of family relationships.     

Perceived Causes of Divorce and Postdivorce Adjustment Among Recently Divorced Midlife Women

Fifty-four midlife, divorced women completed a checkIist of perceived causes of divorce and the Fisher's Divorce Adjustment Scale (among other measures). Of the 17 perceived causes of divorce on the checklist, subjects checked Husband Abused Me, Husband's Extramarital Affair, Husband Desired Independence, and Communication Problems significantly more often, and Conflict about In-Laws and My Desire for Independence significantly less often than would be expected by chance. Those subjects checking Husband's Lack of Interest in Me tended to have worse divorce adjustment, while those checking Husband's Alcohol or Drug Abuse, Financial Problems, or My Desire for Independence tended to have better divorce adjustment. Results are interpreted in terms of self-serving attributional bias, a process which is argued to be especially salient for the major role transition which divorce represents for the current cohort of midlife women. Additional data, as well as methodological and other theoretical issues are considered briefly.     

A Study of Sex Role Expectancy and Female Postdivorce Adjustment

The purpose of this study was to identify factors significantly related to the postdivorce adjustment of women. Fifty-three divorced Caucasian women were administered four instruments: Demographic Data-Checklist; Expressed Acceptance of Self Scale; Social Avoidance and Distress Scale; and a modified form of the Marriage Role Expectation Inventory. The study results indicated that women with more equalitarian sex role expectations were significantly better adjusted than women who were less equalitarian in their attitudes. Older women and those who had been married longer were also found to be better adjusted. Lack of communication and conflicts regarding family responsibilities and roles were also found to be predominant factors in the decision to divorce. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research, and implications for future research are indicated.     

Developments in China's Provisions for Postdivorce Relief in the 21st Century and Suggestions for Their Improvement

Since entering the 21st century, China's divorce provisions for postdivorce relief have been substantially modified. Provisions for financial assistance and damages after divorce have been added. Since the 2001 amendments to the Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China, the changes to postdivorce relief show three characteristics: First, a wider range of relief is provided; second, housework is recognized and the homeless after divorce are protected; and third, loyalty to marriage is advocated and the party who commits statutory gross wrongs is obliged to make compensation. We think that some statutory requirements of the current divorce relief measures are so strict that few divorcees, especially women, are relieved with the system. Thus, the legislature should learn from foreign legislative experiences and relax the statutory conditions in accordance with the social reality in China.     

Relationship Components and Nature of Postdivorce Parenting Responsibilities Among Individuals Going Through a Divorce

ABSTRACT

The relationship components and nature of postdivorce parenting responsibilities were examined among individuals going through different levels of conflict as measured by level of court involvement during their divorce and 6 months later. A modification of the Binuclear Family Research Project Questionnaire was employed to examine communication, interaction, anger, guilt, positive feelings, and attitude toward former spouse as a parent for 110 parents of children under the age of 18 going through a divorce or dissolution. Participants were classified into 1 of 4 groups based on level of court involvement: dissolution, divorce with low conflict, divorce with moderate conflict, and divorce with high conflict. Results suggested that individuals going through dissolutions have better communication, more interaction, and a more positive attitude toward their former spouse than individuals going through high-conflict divorces. Suggestions are offered for addressing postdivorce conflict and future research.     

A Phenomenological Study of Career Anxiety Among College Students

This study explored the phenomenon of career anxiety through a qualitative investigation of the experiences of 7 traditional‐aged college students who were in various stages of their undergraduate degree programs. Using Moustakas's ( 1994 ) method of transcendental phenomenology, the authors conducted in‐depth interviews to answer the following questions: (a) What are coresearchers’ (participants') experiences with the phenomenon of career anxiety? and (b) In what contexts do the coresearchers experience career anxiety? Seven themes emerged: general symptoms of anxiety, existential concerns, pressure, lack of career guidance, cognitive distortions, social comparisons, and economic/occupational uncertainty. The findings provide a contextual and developmental perspective on career‐related anxiety that can guide counselors in the implementation of interventions for reducing anxiety associated with career choice and development.     

Opening Space for Alternative Images and Narratives of Midlife Women

Using a narrative, social constructivist perspective, qualitative findings from a research project on women's midlife experience are reported and the culturally dominant discourse of a woman's midlife experience is discussed. The research indicates that the self-narratives of women who are satisfied with their lives at midlife deviate significantly from the culturally dominant narrative of midlife. The alternative, more individuated self-narratives of five women who reported the highest degree of midlife satisfaction for seventeen major areas of their lives are presented. A clinical case is then discussed which examines therapy with a midlife client which was guided, in part, by the research findings.     

Midlife and older displaced workers: A comparison of predisplacement and new earnings

The economic consequences of business closings and worker layoffs are of great concern to today's work force. The study compares earnings of 755 workers previous to displacement to 422 displaced workers with new earnings. Variables are identified using the data supplement of the 1988Current Populations Survey: Displaced Workers. Displaced workers employed in professional and white-collar positions have more favorable predisplacement earnings and new earnings than workers from other job sectors, but displaced workers who are homeowners and those who have health care coverage before and following job displacement have a decline in earnings. Displaced workers with some high school education and workers with 30 to 39 years of job tenure also experience decreased wages. Overall, displacement of American workers stifles the economy and negatively influences the human capital of the nation's work force. Her major research interests include displaced worker issues, work and family policy, and the economics of aging. Her major research interests include labor force participation of midlife and older persons.     

Correlates of Loneliness in Midlife and Older Gay and Bisexual Men

This study examined the correlates of psychosocial and behavioral factors on loneliness in midlife and older gay and bisexual men in South Florida. A community-based sample of 802 self-identified gay and bisexual men ages 40 to 94 years completed standardized measures of life orientation (optimism versus pessimism), internalized homonegativity, coping self-efficacy, and loneliness. Multivariate modeling successfully explained 45% of the variance in loneliness, which was significantly related to life orientation, coping self-efficacy, internalized homonegativity, and finding partners on the Internet (F = 96.140, df = 6, p < .001). The emphasis on skills building to increase coping self-efficacy and optimism and addressing the effects of internalized homonegativity may have lasting effects in reducing loneliness in older gay and bisexual men and thus improving their mental and physical well-being.     

Psychological Implications of Motherhood and Fatherhood in Midlife: Evidence From Sibling Models

Using data from 4,744 full, twin, half‐, adopted, and stepsiblings in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, I examine psychological consequences of motherhood and fatherhood in midlife. My analysis includes between‐family models that compare individuals across families and within‐family models comparing siblings from the same family to account for unobserved genetic and environmental endowments that may confound the relationship between parenthood and mental health. Further, I examine whether the psychological effect of parenthood varies among different types of sibling dyads. The findings reveal that parenthood has similar psychological implications for middle‐aged mothers and fathers. Main differences arise from specific configurations of the parental role. The association between parenthood and mental health partly reflects genetic influences but not shared early‐life environment.     

Effect of Age,Initiator Status,and Infidelity on Women's Divorce Adjustment

Divorce can be a distressing event. Although various studies have been conducted to better understand this phenomenon, little research has focused on the combined effect of age, initiator status, spousal infidelity, and spiritual well-being on divorce adjustment. To determine the effect of these 4 factors on divorce adjustment, 133 divorced women in the United States were surveyed using the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and a participant questionnaire. Results indicate that initiator status, spousal infidelity, and spiritual well-being together can predict 38% of the variance in overall divorce adjustment for women. Spiritual well-being was found to be the strongest contributor. Recommendations for researchers and implications for clinicians are discussed.     

Mechanisms behind Prolonged Effects of Parental Divorce: A Phenomenological Study

Much research has been aimed at evaluating the effect of divorce on children. The effects via the perceptions of adult children of divorce, however, are substantially underrepresented in this literature. Further, the studies that are published are out of date (often 20 years old), thus leading to questions as to whether the effects are the same as described. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to obtain a retrospective analysis directly from adults who experienced their parents’ divorce in childhood to understand what aspects of the divorce, either positive or negative, followed them into adulthood. Specifically, we were interested in learning the mechanisms contributing to such effects. Eight women and 1 man participated in semistructured interviews. Participants identified communication and support as key factors in their experience, both positively and negatively. Implications for clinical treatment are presented.     

The Role of Social Participation in Postseparation and Postdivorce Adjustment

This study examines the role of social participation in postseparation and postdivorce adjustment. The subjects, 277 members of Parents with-out Partners chapters in two metropolitan areas, were administered a 273-item questionnaire containing the Postdivorce Problems and Stress Scale especially constructed for this research. It was found that higher levels of social participation were strongly related to lower stress. The following questions were also explored: (a) When do people participate more? (b) When is social participation particularly important for alleviating stress? and (c) Why do older males participate more than younger males and all females?     

Comparing the Effects of Amount of Conflict on Children's Adjustment Following Parental Divorce

This study examined the immediate and short-term effects on children of the conflict (as reflected by the level of court involvement) their family experiences during divorce proceedings. Families going through various levels of divorce (dissolution, divorce with little litigation, moderate litigation, and high levels of litigation) were investigated. Seventy-six parents (31 men and 45 women) between the ages of 22 and 53 who had children ranging in age from 2 to 17 years old participated. The Divorce Adjustment Inventory–Revised was completed by the parents immediately following the divorce hearing and again 6 months later. Results indicated that families experiencing a higher level of conflict (as measured by level of court involvement) displayed more family conflict or maladjustment, less favorable divorce conditions and child coping ability, and less positive divorce resolution. Implications of the study and indications for future research are discussed.     

Gender,the Marital Life Course,and Cardiovascular Disease in Late Midlife

Drawing on 5 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, we examine the influence of the marital life course on the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease among 9,434 middle‐aged individuals. Results show that compared to continuously married persons, both men and women with a marital loss have significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Men and women, however, differ in the effects of marital loss on the incidence of cardiovascular disease over the course of the study. Women with a marital loss have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in late midlife compared to continuously married women, whereas marital loss is not associated with men’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Emotional distress and socioeconomic status account for the higher risk of cardiovascular disease among divorced women.