Positive Effects of Parental Divorce on Undergraduates

Abstract

Three hundred and thirty-six undergraduates from two large universities in the Southeast and Midwest completed a 31-item Internet questionnaire revealing their (mostly white and ages 18–23) reaction to the divorce of their parents. Perceived positive effects included a happier mother (57%); happier father (43%); closer relationships with mother, father, or siblings (45%, 29%, 36%, respectively); less parental conflict (35%); and greater appreciation for one’s siblings (40%). Significant differences between women and men included that females were closer with their mother (p < .05), males had a better relationship with their stepsiblings (p < .05) and females were more likely to agree that they were slow to express their feelings in a relationship (p < .05). Symbolic interaction was used as the theoretical framework to interpret the data. Implications and limitations are suggested.

• adult children
• divorce
• family relations
• marriage and remarriage