Divorce transition differences of midlife women

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2005 Feb-Mar;26(2):225-49. doi: 10.1080/01612840590901699.

Abstract

Divorce transition experienced by and its influence upon midlife women's health is not fully understood. Interviews were conducted with 24 divorced women who self-classified into decider status groups: initiator (who first decided to end marriage), non-initiator (recipient of end of marriage decision), and mutual decider (shared decision to end marriage). Interpretive content analysis involving pattern coding was conducted. The divorce transition by initiators (n=8) included self-focused growth, optimism, and social support losses and opportunities, while the divorce transition by non-initiators (n=8) included being left, ruminating, vulnerability, and spiritual comfort. No profile emerged for the mutual-decider group (n=8). This study supports that differences in divorce transition exist for initiators and non-initiators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Decision Making*
  • Divorce / psychology*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indiana
  • Life Change Events
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychological Theory
  • Qualitative Research
  • Social Support