Adult Children of Divorce: Explaining Romantic Relationships into Adulthood

Previous research has examined the mental, physical, and emotional effects of divorce on children of all ages. While there is some research that examines adult children of divorce (ACOD) (e.g., Dornak, 2013; Lambert-South, 2013), this group is still largely understudied. Building on previous research and framing the current study with Social Exchange Theory (Blau, 1964; Homans, 1958; Kelley & Thibaut, 1978), this study examined adults 18 or older from divorced and married families and evaluated their perceptions of their own romantic relationships. Surveying these adults (N=266), allowed us to draw conclusions about ACOD’s perceptions of their own romantic relationships in light of their parents’ relationships, pinpoint connections between the age at the time of their parents’ divorce and their commitment to their own relationships, and thus, better understand relationship decision-making processes in ACOD. In doing all the above, I contribute to the literature which aids children undergoing divorce.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Washburn, Corey

• adult

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/82222

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/82222