A Phenomenological Study of Emotional and Subjective Experiences of Children of Divorce

Authors
Mohammad Sadegh Zamani Zarchi 1
Masoud Gholamali Lavasani 2
Javad Javad Ejei 3
Ali Ali Hosseinzadeh Oskouei 4
Sahar Samadi Kashan 5
1 Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Teheran. Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Teheran, Tehran, Iran.
4 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
5 Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Tehran, Iran.
10.52547/rph.12.1.39
Abstract
Divorce is a reality in the lives of many people around the world. This phenomenon is affecting people's lives in many ways and is the origin of complex emotional, cognitive and physical changes in the family, especially children. In this regard, this study was conducted to explore the lived experience of children of divorce about their emotional experiences. In this qualitative study, a phenomenological framework was adopted. The population under study was 17 adolescents aged 12-18 years old; who had experienced the separation of their parents. The participants were selected purposively, and selection continued until data saturation. Data collected by semi-structured and face-to-face individual interviews. The data were analyzed using the Colaizzi`s proposed stages. The thematic analysis resulted in three sub-themes for emotional experiences including anger and hate, fear and feeling of defenseless. According to findings, the adolescents participating in the study faced with a variety of emotions and experiences during the divorce and thereafter. Based on the results, children of divorce have numerous mental and environmental perceptions and experiences which in some cases can affect their well-being and mental health. The results emphasize the need for a deeper explanation of the lived experience of these people by psychologists and social workers and implementing therapeutic interventions based on the content derived from the present study, focusing on improving their emotional states.
Keywords
lived experience
adolescents
children of divorce
Phenomenology
emotional and subjective experiences
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