Related Experiment Videos
Women's reflections on divorce-- 10 years later.
Mary E Duffy1, Carolyn Thomas, Claudia Trayner
1University of Utah, College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA. mary.duffy@nurs.utah.edu
Health Care for Women International
|November 7, 2002
Summary
Ten years post-divorce, most women reported positive life assessments, though 25% felt unchanged or worse. Income correlated with well-being, and self-care was prioritized over professional therapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Divorce significantly impacts women's lives.
- Long-term effects of divorce require further investigation.
- Understanding women's post-divorce adjustment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess women's lives ten years after divorce.
- To examine factors influencing post-divorce well-being.
- To explore coping mechanisms and life satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 95 women previously studied.
- Mail-out questionnaire assessing demographics, self-esteem, control, and life assessment.
- Qualitative descriptions of post-divorce lives and coping strategies.
Main Results:
- Overall positive life assessments reported by most women.
- 25% reported feeling the same or worse compared to 10 years prior.
- Income was the sole demographic correlate of self-esteem, control, and life assessment.
- Women predominantly used self-care strategies; few sought professional therapy.
Conclusions:
- A decade after divorce, many women experience positive adjustment, but a significant minority do not.
- Financial stability (income) appears linked to psychological well-being post-divorce.
- Self-directed coping strategies are common, highlighting potential gaps in accessing mental health services.