A constructivist grounded study on children's perception of loneliness after parental divorce

Bibliographic Data

ID12645596
AuthorsSoraya Ramezanzadeh (University of Isfahan, corresponding author), Ozra Etemadi (0000-0003-4767-6705, University of Isfahan), Faramarz Asanjarani (0000-0002-5589-3905, University of Isfahan)
Year2022
Volume22
Issue4
Pages464-477
Publication date2022-06-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Research Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1443-9883 • E-ISSN: 1448-0980
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/qrj-02-2022-0027
OpenAlexW4281627272
LanguageEN
References cited42

Purpose Divorce has negative effects on children, although emotions that children experience after parental divorce are open to different interpretations. Accordingly, this study was conducted to explore loneliness in children of divorce. Design/methodology/approach A constructivist grounded theory study was carried out through the lens of definitive guidelines provided by Charmaz (2006). The participants were 15 female children aged 11–12 years, who were purposively selected. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and memos. To analyze data, the authors used four coding techniques, including initial, focused, axial, and theoretical coding. Also, to examine the links between the identified themes, the authors focused on three factors: conditions, actions/interactions, and consequences. Findings The analysis of the obtained data through the above-mentioned stages led to the identification of three main themes, including parental unavailability, rejection, and mistrust, which shaped children's experience of loneliness through lack of physical access, lack of emotional access, low levels of parental expectations, lack of supervision, absence of belongingness, being ignored, pessimistic views, and insecure relationships. Originality/value As was suggested by attachment theory, children of divorce lost their attachment bonds with their parents that intensified their perception of loneliness and negatively affected their social and academic performance. It was revealed that, effects of divorce went beyond the loss of the attachment bonds in families because our participants talked about their relationships with peers and their position in a society, where divorce carries the social stigma and children of divorced mother are marginalized

Belongingness · Developmental psychology · Grounded theory · Loneliness · Originality · Perception · Qualitative research · Sociology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Family Support in Illness · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology