Qualitative And Quantitative Evaluation of Women's Adaptation to Divorce: A Follow-Up Study

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 79, 802 - 822, 29.12.2025

Nilüfer Uyar

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1570513

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a quantitative and qualitative assessment of post-divorce adjustment among women who completed a Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT) based group intervention, two years following the program. This research was conducted with a nested mixed design. The qualitative part covering the interviews with divorced women (n=11) constitutes the general design, and the quantitative part covering the data collected with the scale kit constitutes the supporting design. Five themes emerged reflecting changes in the women’s post-divorce adjustment: (1) cognitive, emotional, and behavioral awareness and change; (2) acceptance of events, situations, or individuals that cannot be changed; (3) establishing and maintaining boundaries; (4) redefining womanhood alongside motherhood; and (5) desire to remain in the present moment. Additionally, three themes were identified that explained how these changes were experienced: (1) the healing power of the group, (2) the role of time, and (3) the form and content of the intervention. According to the results of ANOVA, significant differences were found in favor of the group in the total score, grief, anger and self-worth sub-dimensions between the pre-test and post-test and these differences were maintained in the subsequent measurements. In addition, a significant difference was found in favor of the intervention group on the trust–intimacy sub-dimension at both the follow-up and two-year follow-up assessments. Qualitative and quantitative results indicate that the improvement in the divorce adjustment of women who received psychological support continues two years later. Furthermore, the findings suggest that Cognitive Behavioral Theory based intervention has made significant contributions to this improvement in women’s adjustment. These findings can be guiding for mental health professionals working with divorced individuals.

Keywords

divorced women , post-divorce adjustment , Cognitive Behavioral Theory , follow-up study

References

• Afyonoğlu, M. F., Bayyar, A. B., Kesen, N. F., & Morgül, B. (2021). An evaluation of the problems of single-parent women from a social work perspective. Journal of Social Work Research in Turkey, 5(2), 85–107.
• Alimoradi, S., Rafienia, P., & Sabahi, P. (2016). Effect of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on the hopeless and loneliness among divorced women. Journal of Research and Health, 6(2), 213-221. http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-554-en.htm
• Amato, P. R. (2010). Research on divorce: Continuing trends and new developments. Journal of marriage and family, 72(3), 650-666. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00723.x
• Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of marriage and family. 62(4), 1269-1287. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.01269.x
• Andreß, H. J., & Bröckel, M. (2007). Income and life satisfaction after marital disruption in Germany. Journal of Marriage and Family. 69(2), 500-512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00379.x
• Asadpour, E., & Sadat Hosseini, M. (2018). The effectiveness of cognitive group therapy on self-efficacy and depression among divorced women. Practice in Clinical Psychology. 6(4), 231-238. http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/jpcp.6.4.231
• Asanjarani, F., Jazayeri, R., Fatehizade, M., Etemadi, O., & De Mol, J. (2018). The effectiveness of fisher’s rebuilding group intervention on divorce adjustment and general health of Iranian divorced women. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 59(2), 108-122.
• Aslan, Ş., & Turk, F. (2022). A comparison of the concepts of cognitive flexibility and psychological flexibility. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 14(1), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.917360
• Başkaya, Z., & Ünal, A. (2017). Temporal changes in marriage and divorce rates at the provincial level in Turkey (2001–2015). Journal of International Social Research, 10(53), 338–358. http://dx.doi.org/10.17719/jisr.20175334124
• Beck, J. S. (2014). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (Trans. M. Şahin). Nobel Publishing.
• Bell, W. J., Charping, J. W., & Strecker, J. B. (1990). Client perceptions of the effectiveness of divorce adjustment groups. Journal of Social Service Research. 13(2), 9-32. https://doi.org/10.1300/J079v13n02_02
• Bulut-Ateş, F. (2015). The effect of child-parent relationship therapy training on divorced mothers’ empathy, acceptance and stress levels [in Turkish]. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Cukurova University, Adana Turkey.
• Can, Y., & Aksu, N. B. (2016). Women during and after the divorce process. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 15(58). https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.258824
• Canbulat, N., & Aladağ, M. (2024). Emotion-focused group counseling with Turkish divorced women: a mixed design study. Current Psychology. 43(5), 4622-4637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04651-9
• Çelik, O. (2021). The effect of a post-divorce adjustment program on divorced individuals. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye.
• Chan Lai Cheng, J., & Pfeifer, J. E. (2015). Postdivorce adjustment in Singapore: Factors, themes, and positive growth. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 56(6), 429-450. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2015.1058657
• Chase-Lansdale, P. L., & Hetherington, E. M. (2014). The impact of divorce and life-span development: Short and long term effects. In P. B. Baltes, D. L. Featherman, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Lifespan devevelopment and behavior (pp. 107–142). Psychology Press.
• Cipric, A., Strizzi, J. M., Øverup, C. S., Lange, T., Štulhofer, A., Sander, S., ... & Hald, G. M. (2020). Cooperation after divorce: An RCT study of the effects of a digital intervention platform on self-perceived stress. Intervencion Psicosocial. 29(2), 113-123. 10.5093/pi2020a7
• Clarke-Stewart, A., & Brentano, C. (2006). Divorce: Causes and consequences. Yale University Press,
• Coleman, M., Ganong, L., & Leon, K. (2006). Divorce and post-divorce relationships. The Cambridge handbook of personal relationship. 157-173.
• Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2014). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (Y. Dede & S. B. Demir, Trans. Eds.). Anı Publishing.
• Creswell, J. W. (2020). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (M. Bütün & S. B. Demir, Trans.). Siyasal Bookstore.
• Dahl, S. Å., Hansen, H. T., & Vignes, B. (2015). His, her, or their divorce? Marital dissolution and sickness absence in Norway. Journal of Marriage and Family, 77(2), 461-479. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12166
• Diedrick, P. (1991). Gender differences in divorce adjustment. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 14(3-4), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v14n03_03
• Ding, D., Gale, J., Bauman, A., Phongsavan, P., & Nguyen, B. (2021). Effects of divorce and widowhood on subsequent health behaviours and outcomes in a sample of middle-aged and older Australian adults. Scientific Reports. 11(1), 15237. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93210-y
• Duffy, M. E., Thomas, C., & Trayner, C. (2002). Women's reflections on divorce--10 years later. Health care for women international. 23(6-7), 550-560. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399330290107313
• Ellis, A. (1985). Love and Its Problems. In: Ellis, A., Bernard, M.E. (eds) Clinical Applications of Rational-Emotive Therapy. Springer, Boston, MA, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2485-0_2
• Emery, R. E., & Dillon, P. (1994). Conceptualizing the divorce process: Renegotiating boundaries of intimacy and power in the divorced family system. Family Relations. 374-379. https://www.jstor.org/stable/585367
• Eurostat, 2022. Crude divorce rates. Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/images/d/d2/Map02_Crude_divorce_rates_2022_rev.png
• Fisher, B.F. (1976). Identifying and meeting needs of formerly-married people through adivorce adjustment seminar. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Northern, Colorado.
• Froiland, D. J., & Hozman, T. L. (1977). Counseling for constructive divorce. The Personnel and Guidance Journal. 55(9), 525-529. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164-4918.1977.tb05239.x
• Gardner, J., & Oswald, A. J. (2006). Do divorcing couples become happier by breaking up?. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A: Statistics in Society. 169(2), 319-336. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-985X.2006.00403.x
• Gök, Ş., Tok, M., Şevik, A. E., & Günay, G. (2023). An evaluation of women’s experiences before, during, and after divorce and their views on divorce within the framework of feminist theory. Marmara University Journal of Women’s and Gender Studies, 7(1), 86–116.
• Graff, R. W., Whitehead, G. I., & LeCompte, M. (1986). Group treatment with divorced women using cognitive-behavioral and supportive-insight methods. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 33(3), 276. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.33.3.276
• Granvold, D. K. (2014). The Treatment of Post-divorce Adjustment Problems Through Cognitive Restructuring. In: Nelson, T.S and Trepper T.S. (eds) 101 Interventions in Family Therapy. Routledge.
• Hayes, S. C., & Lillis, J. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: Theories of psychotherapy series. American Psychological Association.
• Hewitt, B., & Turrell, G. (2011). Short-term functional health and well-being after marital separation: Does initiator status make a difference?. American journal of epidemiology. 173(11), 1308-1318. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwr007
• Hilton, J. M., & Kopera-Frye, K. (2003). Patterns of psychological adjustment among divorced custodial parents. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 41(3-4), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v41n03_01
• İlhan, Ü. D. (2020). Divorce as a continuing factor of stigmatization and social exclusion in working life in the 21st century: A qualitative analysis of female employees. İzmir Journal of Economics, 35(3), 511–530. https://doi.org/10.24988/ije.202035306
• Karadeniz Özbek, S., & Demir, M. (2022). The Effectiveness of the Post-Divorce Psychological Support Program (PDPSP) on Divorced Individual Adjustment Levels: A Pilot Study at Women. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies. 9(3), 602-618.
• Kavas, S., & Gündüz-Hoşgör, A. (2013). The parenting practice of single mothers in Turkey: Challenges and strategies. In Women's Studies International Forum, Vol. 40, pp. 56-67. Pergamon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2013.05.004
• Kitson, G. C., & Morgan, L. A. (1990). The multiple consequences of divorce: A decade review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 52(4), 913.
• Konstam, V., Karwin, S., Curran, T., Lyons, M. Celen-Demirtaş, S. (2016). Stigma and Divorce: A Relevant Lens for Emerging and Young Adult Women? Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 57(3), 173-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2016.1150149
• Krumrei, E., Coit, C., Martin, S., Fogo, W., & Mahoney, A. (2007). Post-divorce adjustment and social relationships: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 46(3-4), 145-166. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v46n03_09
• Lafrance Robinson, A., McCague, E. A., & Whissell, C. (2014). “That chair work thing was great”: A pilot study of group-bases emotion- focused therapy for anxiety and depression. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies. 13(4), 266–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2014.910131
• Leopold, T. (2018). Gender differences in the consequences of divorce: A study of multiple outcomes. Demography. 55(3), 769-797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-018-0667-6
• Leopold, T., & Kalmijn, M. (2016). Is divorce more painful when couples have children? Evidence from long-term panel data on multiple domains of well-being. Demography. 53(6), 1717-1742. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-016-0518-2
• Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. Sage, London.
• Moretti, F., van Vliet, L., Bensing, J., Deledda, G., Mazzi, M., Rimon¬dini, M., & Fletcher, I. (2011). A standardized approach to quali¬tative content analysis of focus group discussions from different countries. Patient Education and Counseling. 82(3), 420–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2011.01.005
• Mortelmans, D. (2020). Economic consequences of divorce: A review. Parental life courses after separation and divorce in Europe. 23-41.
• Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2015). Issues of validity and reliability in qual¬itative research. Evidence-based Nursing. 18(2), 34–35. https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2015-102054
• Öngider, N. (2013). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on depression, anxiety, and loneliness symptoms of women after divorce: A pilot study. Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research, 2(3), 147–155.
• Øygard, L., Thuen, F., & Solvang, P. (2000). An evaluation of divorce support groups: A qualitative approach. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 32(3-4), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v32n03_10
• Ozdel, K. (2015). Cognitive behavioral therapies from past to present: Theory and practice. Türkiye Klinikleri Journals: Psychiatry – Special Topics, 8(2), 10–20.
• Parker, L., Riyani, I. Nolan, B. (2016). The Stigmatisation of Widows and Divorcees in Indonesia, and the Possibilities for Agency. Indonesia and the Malay World. 44(128), 27-46. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2016.1111677
• Patton, M. Q. (2018). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (M. Bütün & S. B. Demir, Trans.). Pegem Academy.
• Salts, C. J., & Zongker, C. E. (1983). Effects of divorce counseling groups on adjustment and self-concept. Journal of Divorce. 6(4), 55-67. https://doi.org/10.1300/J279v06n04_04
• Sheperis, C. J., Young, S., & Daniels, D. D. (2010). Counseling Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods. Pearson; 1 edition.
• Shooshtari, A., Rezaee, A., & Taheri, E. (2016). The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on divorced womekitsonn’s emotional regulation, meta-cognitive beliefs, and rumination. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health. 18(6), 321-328. https://jfmh.mums.ac.ir/jufile?ar_sfile=280304
• Simmons, J., & Griffiths, R. (2021). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Beginners. (H. Türkçapar, Trans. Ed.). Nobel Yaşam.
• Strouse, J., & Roehrle, B. (2011). A meta-analysis of intervention outcome studies for adults undergoing separation and divorce. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. 13(4), 17-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623730.2011.9715665
• Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using Multivariate Statistics (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
• Türkçapar, H. (2019). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Basic Principles and Practice (14th ed.). Epsilon Publishing.
• Uyar, N., & Yıldırım, İ. (2022). Women’s experiences of adjustment to life after divorce: A qualitative study. Anadolu University Journal of Social Sciences, 22(2), 405–434. https://doi.org/10.18037/ausbd.1136314
• Vatandaş, C. (2007). The perception of gender and gender roles. Istanbul Journal of Sociological Studies, (35), 29–56. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/iusoskon/issue/9517/118909
• Vukalovich, D., & Caltabiano, N. (2008). The effectiveness of a community group intervention program on adjustment to separation and divorce. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 48(3-4), 145-168. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v48n03_09
• Waite, L. J., Luo, Y., & Lewin, A. C. (2009). Marital happiness and marital stability: Consequences for psychological well-being. Social Science Research. 38(1), 201-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2008.07.001
• Wang, H., & Amato, P. R. (2000). Predictors of divorce adjustment: Stressors, resources, and definitions. Journal of Marriage and Family. 62(3), 655-668. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00655.x Weiss, R.S. (1975). Marital separation. New York: Basic Books.
• Wijnberg, M. H., & Holmes, T. (1992). Adaptation to divorce: The impact of role orientation on family-life-cycle perspectives. Families in Society. 73(3), 159-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/104438949207300304
• Williams, K., & Dunne‐Bryant, A. (2006). Divorce and adult psychological well‐being: Clarifying the role of gender and child age. Journal of marriage and family. 68(5), 1178-1196. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00322.x
• Wiseman, R. S. (1975). Crisis theory and the process of divorce. Social Casework, 56(4), 205-212. https://doi.org/10.1177/104438947505600402
• Yıldırım, İ. (2018). Parental support and achievement (3rd ed.). Anı Publishing.
• Yılmaz, A. E., Akyuz, Z., Bintaş Zorer, P., Erarslan İngec, O., Oksuzler Cabılar, B., & Tulum Akbulut, S. (2021). Derivation and psychometric evaluation of the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale-Short Form in a Turkish sample. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage. 62(1), 41-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2020.1833291
• Yılmaz, S. (2018). Reflections of gender roles in everyday life: The case of Çorum/Alaca. İmgelem, 2(2), 59–79.
• Zohrabniya, E., Sanaei Zaker, B., Kiyamanesh, A., & Zahrakar, K. (2022). Comparison of the efficacy of emotion-focused therapy and cognitive-behavior therapy on post-divorce adjustment and self-esteem of divorced women. Journal of Psychological Science. 21(109), 207-227. 10.52547/JPS.21.109.207