adolescents‟ adjustment to divorce and living in step- families a thesis submitted in fulfillment of

175 Pages·2013·0.96 MB·English

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ADOLESCENTS‟ ADJUSTMENT TO DIVORCE AND LIVING IN STEP-
FAMILIES

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARTS IN SOCIAL WORK

OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA

BY

AMANDA SOLOMON

200522591

APRIL 2013

SUPERVISOR: DR. M.E. GROBLER
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ABSTRACT

The step-family is no longer the exception in society. Globally statistics reveal the
growth in this type of family structure. Divorce and living in step-families is a life-
transforming experience; adolescent‟s life is profoundly altered. They encounter
differences in feelings over the two-time periods. There is a need to learn more and
gain a better understanding of adolescents‟ adjustment and coping with the changes
caused by divorce and remarriage. The key question this research aims at answering:
“How does divorce and remarriage influence the adolescent‟s life?” And “Do other
factors and structures play a role to influence that outcome?”
The main purpose of this thesis was to explore how adolescents adjust to their
parents‟ divorce and living in step-families. This research was based on information
gathered from the adolescent‟s perspective. Participants all attended the Dawid
Bezuidenhoudt Senior Secondary School in Khomasdal, Windhoek. The qualitative
approach and phenomenological design was applied. Semi-structured interviews
were conducted with 20 participants; video and audio recordings as well as field
notes were taken. This data was analyzed using content analysis and the information
was organized into themes, patterns and trends.

For the purpose of answering the research questions in a systematic way, eight
themes prominent in the literature on adolescents living in a step-family relationship
were focused upon. Eight themes emerged from the study: the demise of the family
of origin, the adolescents‟ experiences of their parents‟ divorce and remarriage, the
complexities of step-families as compared to the family of origin, coping strategies
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recommended for the adolescent living in step-families, how the adolescents‟
behaviour is being affected by co-occurring stressful life experiences and distressed
relationships, the adaptation patterns amongst adolescents in step-families, support
systems needed for adolescents to adapt successfully in step-families, and further
research.

The findings indicated that adolescents have diverse experiences of their parents‟
divorce and remarriage and they are affected by the dynamics in the step-family.
The findings confirm that adolescents cope better with the trauma of divorce and
remarriage when they have a strong support network.

In conclusion, all parties involved in a step-family household have to work on a new
form of intimacy, communication skills, and parent-child relationship, as these
factors influences the adjustment of adolescents in step-families.
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Table of Contents
Cover page i
ABSTRACT ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iv
LIST OF FIGURES ix
LIST OF TABLES x
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xi
DEDICATION xiii
DECLARATION xiv
CHAPTER 1 15
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 15
1.1. Introduction 15
1.2. Context of the Problem 16
1.3 Statement of the Problem 21
1.4. Significance of the Study 23
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1.5. Limitations of the Study 25
1.6. Summary 26

CHAPTER 2 27
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE DYNAMICS BETWEEN
ADOLESCENTS AND STEP-FAMILIES 27
2.1. Introduction 27
2.2. A Historical Overview of Step-families 28
2.3. Theories Related to Step-families: 29
2.4. Summary 86

CHAPTER 3 89
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 89
3.1. Introduction 89
3.2. Research Methodology 89
3.3. Research design 90
3.4. Sampling 90
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3.5. Research Instrument 91
3.6. Data analysis 96
3.7 Research Ethics 97
3.8. Summary 99

CHAPTER 4 100
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESEARCH RESULTS 100
4.1. Introduction 100
4.2. Sample Demographics 101
4.3. Theme 1: The Demise of the Family of Origin. 103
4.4. Theme 2: The Adolescents‟ Experiences of their Parents‟ Divorce and
Remarriage. 107
4.5. Theme 3: The Complexity of Step-families as Compared to the Family of Origin 114

4.6. Theme 4: Coping Strategies Recommended for the Adolescent Living in
Step-families. 121
4.7. Theme 5: Factors influencing the adolescent‟s behaviour 128
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4.8. Theme 6: The Adaptation Patterns amongst Adolescents in Step-families 132
4.9. Theme 7: Support Systems Needed for Adolescents to Adapt Successfully
Step-families. 136
4.10. Theme 8: Further Research needed 139

CHAPTER 5 140
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 140
5.1. Introduction: 140
5.2. Theme 1: The Demise of the Family of Origin. 141
5.3. Theme 2: Adolescents‟ Experiences of their Parents‟ Divorce and Remarriage. 141
5.4. Theme 3: The Complexity of Step-families as Compared to the Family of
Origin. 142
5.5. Theme 4: Coping Strategies Recommended for Adolescents Living in Step-
families. 142
5.6. Theme 5: How The Adolescents‟ Behaviour is Being Affected by Co-Occurring
Stressful Life Experiences and Distressed Relationships. 144
5.7. Theme 6: The Adaptation Patterns amongst Adolescents in Step-families. 145
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5.8. Theme 7: Support Systems Needed for Adolescents to Adapt Successfully in
Step-families. 146
5.9. Theme 8: Further Research needed 146
REFERENCES 148
ANNEXURE 168
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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Structure of the Research Field 20
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Participants‟ Personal Information 102