′He calls everyone “dad” on the street’: divorce experiences of parents of children with neurodevelopment conditions

Kaya A., Yıldız G.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-23, 2024 (SSCI)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/20473869.2024.2440055
  • Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-23
  • Anadolu Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives

It is stated that families with children with neurodevelopment condition experience difficulties in marital quality and harmony, and the level of stress among parents is high. It is seen that children with neurodevelopment condition are affected more than their peers during divorce processes. This study aims to determine the experiences of parents and children with neurodevelopment condition during divorce process.

Methods

Phenomenological research design is used, and 17 divorced parents participated in the study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with content analysis.

Results

Results showed that the birth of a child with neurodevelopment condition negatively affects the life of the parents and leads to disruption of marital dynamics, the child usually starts living with the mother after the divorce.

Conclusions

It was observed that the stress in the family increased with the birth of the child with neurodevelopment condition, marital harmony deteriorated, and the mothers were left to fight alone. It could be suggested that comprehensive policies, counseling and psychotherapy should be implemented to strengthen the family.