Single Asian American Women as a Result of Divorce

This article reveals findings of an exploratory study of the psychological and social experiences following divorce among Asian American women. In depth interviews were conducted with 50 women who were divorced within the last five years residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. The article focuses on neglecting dimensions of the adjustment problems among divorced Asian American women by mvestigating the perceptions, thoughts, and feelings over a broad range of questions. The study findings suggest that the newly divorced are significantly more depressed. This increased depression is affected by greater economic problems, lower perceived standard of living and lesser availability of close confiding relationships. Despite its increases, divorce remains an event that brings economic and emotional hardship to these women: The greater depressive effect reflects their worsened life conditions. These divorced Asian American women face complex problems of emotional, personal and social adjustment requiring further attention by researchers.