Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Date of Award

Spring 1990

Degree Name

Education Specialist (Ed.S)

Department

Advanced Education Programs

Advisor

David Williamson

Abstract

This paper provides an extensive literature review regarding the effects of divorce on children. The stages of divorce, as well as the factors which influence post divorce development are discussed. However, there is little research available which evaluates parents’ perceptions of the effect s of divorce on children. This study also serves to add to that limited body of existing research. The sample consisted of 50 parents, 25 custodial and 25 noncustodial, and were selected from southwestern Kansas communities. The criterion for involvement in the study were: Parents who had undergone a divorce within the last 5 years; had a child ranging in age from six to twelve; were either the custodial parent or the noncustodial parent and lived within a radius of 60 miles from the custodial parent, and were willing to complete a Perception of Divorce Impact Questionnaire (PODI). The 15 subscale areas of the PODI and the demographic information developed on each respondent all owed comparisons to be made to determine if non custodial parents' perceptions of the effects of divorce were different than custodial parents. The analysis revealed that the Custodial (CPI group and the Noncustodial (NPI group were cohesive. The response patterns on the PODI discriminated between the two groups which allowed the classification of a case with a group which it most closely resembles. The accuracy of predicting the correct group, based on the response pattern on the Perception of Divorce Impact questionnaire was 70%. Although comparisons involving the CP and NP groups did not yield significant results, this study implied a tendency of noncustodial parents, in comparison to custodial parents, to underestimate the effects of divorce on children. Related research areas were also discussed.

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Rights

© 1990 Patrick R. Meier

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